Skip to main content

Philippians 2:7

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7, ESV)
Being born...

The God of the Universe... the same person of the Trinity who spoke galaxies into existence, who formed man of the dust of the ground (John 1:3) ... the same one who met with Abraham (John 8:56) ... This same Jesus... was born!

What an example of humility!

Paul is telling us to put others before ourselves, to treat others as more significant (Philippians 2:3), to look to others' needs (Philippians 2:4), and he knows that this is difficult. So, he gives us an ultimate example, the example of Christ. Jesus was the very form of God and equality with God was not something that He would have to reach for, yet He can take on the form of a servant.... and be born. This is why my favorite "Nativity Story" is the one found in John's Gospel. It is wrapped up in the words, "... the Word became flesh..." (John 1:14)

The word that is translated "emptied" comes from a Greek word meaning, empty handed, destitute. In other words, He didn't bring anything with Him. He takes the form, the external appearance, of a servant... He did't come, choosing to be born in the house of a king... but of a lowly carpenter. And he is in the same physical form as any other man. The Creator  will now know the hunger, thirst, fatigue, and pain of any other man. He will also know the temptations of any other man. He truly is Immanuel -- God with Us! (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)

When you are called upon by the Spirit of God to humble yourself and look to others, remember that there is one who has done this already for you.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Please add some additional commentary to this verse. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Popular posts from this blog

Jonah 2:10

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV) Don't you just love fresh starts. They're not always fresh, but they are a start. The God that we serve is a God of fresh starts. My mind goes to the many times that Christ reached out his hand, pulling a lame man to his feet, and saying, "...now go and sin no more." Or the woman caught in adultery, "...neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." Only a God of grace will allow a swallowed man to repent. Praise Him.
4 comments
Continue Reading »

Psalm 119:10

With my whole heart I have searched for You; Let me not wander from Your commandments. -Psalm 119:10 (Translation by Jay E. Adams, in his book Counsel from Psalm 119) Can you say with this psalmist, that you have searched for God with your whole heart? Is your prayer, the prayer that he prayed? "O Lord, don't let me wander from Your Word!" In this blog, I hope to post daily (or nearly daily) posting from scripture. I don't plan on adding much of my own commentary, maybe just a statement or two; sometimes more, sometimes less. But if you would like to add some commentary of your own, or if you would like to share what a passage has meant to you, please feel free.
2 comments
Continue Reading »

1 Thessalonians 2:17

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, (1 Thessalonians 2:17 - ESV) "... we were torn away from you ..." If you go back to Acts 17:1-10, you can read about the quick departure from Thessalonica. But Paul wants them to know that the separation is only physical, he is still with them in heart and has a strong desire to return to them. His desire is to see them "face to face"...  What is interesting though, is that this is the first letter of Paul's. Paul has discovered a new way of ministry. Paul has had to adjust his preferred ministry, but we have all benefited from this new process of teaching to those that he cannot see face-to-face. This benefit has stretched through the centuries and has served to fulfill God's purposes of spreading the gospel to every nation on earth. 
Post a Comment
Continue Reading »