A Weekly Bible Study

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Philippians 2:6-11

My name is Adam.

We must acknowledge that we are like Adam. For we have inherited Adam’s sin. In important ways, we journey as Adam.

But by the power and promise of Christ’s death and resurrection we also journey with Jesus. We cannot help but bow in reverence before the mystery revealed in this first century hymn, reported by Paul to the Philippians in Sunday's reading. Among the earliest statements of faith in Christ Jesus, this hymn focuses on Jesus’ divinity (called a “high Christology” in theological terms).

The Philippians hymn is worth looking at often and frequently: 

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness...
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him...
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend...
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

This hymn tells us, today, that Jesus, being exalted as Lord and Savior, yet humbles himself to undertake humanity, servitude, and a humiliating death. Therefore it is fitting that we also bow in humility alongside our Lord to become servants of God and one another.

We walk a fine line each day between choosing Adam and choosing Christ. When we choose Adam, we open ourselves to the power of sin and death. When we choose Christ we open ourselves to the power of love and life.

My name is Adam, and I walk with Christ.

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.