In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing [emptied himself] by taking the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:5–7).

Back in the day there was a Disney TV movie based on Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, about a poor boy named Tom Canty and his doppelganger, Edward, Prince of Wales. 

Interesting parallels came to mind as I read Philippians 2 , where Jesus, the PRINCE OF PEACE, leaves his Father’s heavenly abode to live as a carpenter’s son, enabling PAUPERS (like us!) to be called “children of the king.”

FIRST A DISCLAIMER!

The Prince and the Pauper is fiction, while Philippians 2 is the Word of God. I personally noticed connections between the two. I heartily recommend Twain’s book to young readers. But I recommend the Bible more!

The Prince and the Pauper:

Tom Canty, living in a London slum, learns to read, thanks to a kind old priest. After devouring a book about life in the palace, Tom’s eyes open wide and he begins to dream.

Scripture:

It has been posited that we are born with a “God-shaped hole.” When someone shares the Good News that God himself wants to fill it, it opens our eyes. Ecclesiastes says we are born “with eternity in our hearts.” That beyond our small world there’s MORE.

P+P:

One day Tom wanders by the palace gate where he is manhandled by a guard. The PRINCE sees it from a window, comes down, and invites the PAUPER inside. He feeds him and asks him about his life. 

Scripture:

Jesus, Son of the King, sets aside the advantages of royalty, to take on human form and become a servant.

P+P:

Tom and Prince Edward notice their uncanny resemblance. Donning Tom’s rags, the PRINCE slips out of the palace to sample life as a PAUPER. 

Scripture:

Jesus takes on human flesh and walks among us. He has compassion upon us as sheep without a shepherd. He feeds the poor. Heals the sick.

P+P:

The PAUPER enjoys palace life but remembers who he is: unworthy to be called a child of the King. He tells those around him. They don’t listen.

Scripture:

We Christians are PAUPERS as to our own righteousness. Yet the Scripture calls us children of the King—courtesy of the true Son, who EMPTIES HIMSELF and becomes NOTHING, in order to redeem us. When we remember who we are—unworthy to call God our Father—we should respond with compassion and humility toward others. And yes, when we share the gospel, many don’t listen.

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Not to further torture this comparison between the book and THE BOOK, let’s focus on Philippians 2.

Paul is not just lecturing us on the fine points of Christology. He is urging believers to imitate Christ in our own relationships. 

To serve one another. 

To empty ourselves.

To remember who we are: unworthy PAUPERS who, thanks to the PRINCE, can call the King of the universe, “Abba.” 

The offer became ours when Jesus became NOTHING. 

Abba! Pauper here. Princess by grace! Thank you for saving a room in the palace for me. Amen.