Paul thanks the Philippian Christians for their generosity and shares how they are all called to imitate Jesus’ self-giving love.
In the book of Philippians, we read a series of short vignettes revolving around the Messiah Poem in Chapter 2. The poem retells the gospel story and references Adam’s rebellion from Genesis and the suffering servant in Isaiah.
The gospel in poetry
In each vignette, Paul uses words or ideas from the poem to show how living as a Christian means seeing our own story as a living expression of Jesus’ story. We are to imitate His way of life. Even in our suffering, we can be content as we mimic Him and draw closer to Him.
While our true citizenship is in heaven, we can enjoy a close connection to Jesus and an awareness of His love and presence now that gives us hope in the darkest hours.