It’s a bit of an understatement really. Easy to just skim over it in the greater context of the main point Paul is trying to make. A small phrase . . . with huge implications. A “no brainer” observation . . . that has the potential for shaping how I go about doing life. A well known fact among us Christians . . . that should become a life-driving principle.

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”   (Romans 15:1-3 ESV)

Christ did not please Himself. Ya’ think? Just finished reading Matthew 27. It ends with a tomb secured by a seal and surrounded by a guard . . . in that tomb, is Jesus the Christ. Before being laid in the tomb He hung on a cross . . . derided by men, forsaken by God. Before the cross He was made sport of in the courts of a Roman governor . . . stripped and draped with a mock royal robe . . . a crown of thrones twisted together and beat about His brow . . . a reed placed in the hand of the King of kings and Lord of lords as a scepter of weakness . . . knelt before in mocking adulation . . . spit upon.

Christ did not please Himself. In fact, the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45) . . . the Son of God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing (Php. 2:6-7) . . . the Creator, He who made all things, He for Whom all things were made, freely and fully gave of Himself to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross (Col. 1:15-20).

Christ did not please Himself. Oh, the wonder of the Shepherd’s heart who came to seek and save the lost. Oh, the glory of the Master who washes His disciple’s feet. To bow in awe before the Lion of the tribe of Judah who became the Lamb of God come to take way the sin of the world.

Do I get it? Christ did not please Himself.

A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.  
(Matthew 10:24-25a ESV)

And so, Paul says, I have an obligation to bear up the weak . . . to please others for their good and to build them up . . . to esteem others better than myself . . . to look out not only to my interests, but also to the interest of others . . . “and not to please ourselves.”

Oh, to be more like the Master. To live for Him by seeking to minister to others. To honor Him by removing myself from the picture in favor of another. To worship Him by humbly serving the community of those of like precious faith “that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:6).

Oh, what an example! Oh, what a Savior!