[He] emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross.
(Philippians 2.7-8 NRSV)
Jerry Hoffman, a Lutheran pastor in Minneapolis, tells about hosting a guest from Japan. He sat next to her at the rehearsal dinner for the wedding of a member of their church's staff. The staff member had been a guest in this woman's home in Japan while making arrangements for a group of Japanese young people to spend time with members of their congregation. She had invited this woman to attend her wedding and to her surprise, she came. Pastor and Mrs. Hoffman volunteered to host her in their home after the wedding.

Tomeko was a very attractive and expensively dressed Japanese woman. Pastor Hoffman received a sharp elbow in his ribs from his spouse who said on the sly, "Get a good look at the size of the diamonds on her ring!"

When they talked to Tomeko about her impending visit in their home, her eyes lit up and she said, "Oh, let me prepare a Japanese meal for you and your guests." After some courteous hesitation they agreed. At least that settled a discussion they had been having about what they might serve her.

The day after the wedding they picked her up and stopped at the most impressive grocery store in the city. She immediately began to load the basket with jumbo shrimp, filet and other very fine and expensive foods. About the time Pastor Hoffman was beginning to calculate how much this was going to cost, she turned and said insistently, "I pay!" She was even ready to purchase the pots and pans necessary to prepare the meal until Mrs. Hoffman assured her they had the necessary cooking utensils.

When they arrived at home, their Japanese guest went to the guest room, returned in work clothes and literally took over the kitchen. Mrs. Hoffman attempted to help, but was soon released from her duties. About two hours later, other guests arrived. After the preliminaries, they went into the dining room, expecting that Tomeko would join them. But, she insisted that they be seated. She then served them the most fabulous Japanese meal they have ever eaten.

"In our efforts to be good hosts to a foreign guest," says Pastor Hoffman, "we ended up being guests in our own home. This obviously wealthy lady, emptied herself, took the form of a servant and graciously served us." Just as Jesus, who though in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.

God of love, may I serve as you have served me. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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