Good

preachers know the value of strong imagery. Metaphors and similes

paint word pictures in our minds. In this passage Paul has two

similes, one lovely and the other painful.

On

the one hand, when we behave in Christlike ways as Paul has been

urging throughout Philippians 2, we can shine like stars in the sky.

Though the world around us may often seem like a morally dark place,

in God’s strength we can be like nighttime stars that pierce the

darkness and twinkle in beauty.

On

the other hand, Paul raises the possibility that he might not live

much longer. He says he could be poured out like a drink offering to

complete the sacrifice of service the Philippians were engaged in

through their Christian living. If the star imagery warmed the hearts

of the Christians in Philippi, this drink-offering ­image

probably gave them a chill. They would not want their founding pastor

to die.

But

Paul does not want them to feel sad. He sees the possibility of dying

for Christ as a reason to rejoice! Jesus said that the servant is not

greater than the master. If the world mistreated Jesus, his followers

may experience the same.

So

shine like stars, but don’t be surprised if some people in the

world do not like that. And if they don’t, do not despair. Look to

Jesus on his cross and rejoice.