“But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7
October 6, 2022
The story is told of a house that stood in the sand in Luxor, Egypt was actually on top of a large column (80 ft. high). Over time a sand build-up had occurred. Many people claim that their lives are built on Jesus Christ, but then know as little about Jesus Christ as that Egyptian farmer knew about the foundation of his home. The “Christ hymn” of Philippians 2:5-11 can remedy that. The change of Jesus from heaven to earth also involved a change in His position (“but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant”). Our Savior willingly subordinated Himself to become a servant. In doing this He did not set aside His deity, but changed the manner in which His deity was expressed (“though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor that you through His poverty might become rich” 2 Cor. 8:9). He became like us in order that we might become like Him. Some have misunderstood how Jesus became “poor.” He did not surrender any attribute of deity. Instead, He voluntarily submitted the exercise of His attributes to the Father’s will. For example, Jesus remained all-powerful (omnipotent), but yet he grew weary from work, travel, and teaching. There occurred the union of Christ to an unglorified humanity. We are to carry this truth with us through our personal struggles. Our Savior became subject to temptation, distress, discouragement, weakness, pain, and sorrow. But through it all He did not sin. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” Heb. 4:15. We are to build our love for Jesus Christ on such a solid rock. H
“O Spirit of God, help my infirmities; When I am pressed down with a load of sorrow, perplexed and knowing not what to do,….help me, I pray thee….And make me a perfume of praiseful gratitude to thee.” The Valley of Vision