December 5, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 6 - 7 [see highlight passage in bold] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: In all of this discussion about Christ becoming a human – a man – it is important for Christians to understand that Christ did not lose any of His deity. Yes, as Jesus, The Christ, did empty Himself of His glorious POSITION in the Godhead for a season of earthly time. However, He lost none of the PERSON of God in the process. And so, rather than losing anything in the emptying process, Christ’s choice of manhood to fulfill the Old Covenant actually added humanity to his Godhood, the second Person of the Trinity.
In His discussion of this emptying by Christ in Strength for Today, John MacArthur, reminds or enlightens his readers that the incarnation of Christ required what is called “kenosis” in theology, which comes from the Greek verb “kenoo,” found in today’s text. When one reads the connecting phrase, “…but made Himself nothing …” in the NIV above, in the NASB it is translated, “…but emptied Himself;” and the term “emptied” is that Greek word, “kenoo,” which literally means “to empty or make void.”
It is difficult – well really, impossible - for my finite mind to fully comprehend the extent of Christ’s sacrifice in this process of voiding His claim to His glory and majesty in His incarnation while He became a human. But it is truth. He lost nothing of His Godhood; and we see that often in the New Testament account of His life and ministry. For example, we read [in Matt. 8, Mark 4, or Luke 8] where He calmed a raging storm with a simple command. How often do we read of Christ speaking or gesturing and bringing complete healing to people who had had lifelong physical or health maladies or even raising the dead to life? So, we know of Jesus’ full deity as was evidenced in Scripture. He was 100% God and 100% Man. However, to become man, Jesus had to lay aside [i.e., empty Himself of] His heaven-bound glorious majesty for that time on earth when he would carry out the will of the Father and fulfill all the prophesies for The Messiah … until the time when He was resurrected and ascended again into Heaven to be re-glorified and re-crowned in majesty by God, The Father, as the King of Kings for eternity.
To me this passage of Scripture (i.e., Phil. 2: 6 – 11) is the best Christmas story of all; and there is even more to it. … So, stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: How blessed I am that You, Lord, became a man … for me! Amen
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3 comments:
When God looked upon what we (mankind) had become... when he examined our heart...
The "diagnosis" was "sin."
The "prognosis" was "death."
The "cure" involved "kenosis."
Fun with words!
I find the concept that he 'lost' know of his 'Godhood' interesting in that he chose 'to lay it aside.' I think that while he walked the earth (pre-resurrection) that he walked as fully man. I am inclined, though not convinced, that he chose not to know the outcome of every moment. I accept that he kept his mind on God's mission, the imminent death and on the coming joy, just as we are to do.
But for some reason, in order for him to be tempted in all ways as a man, I believe he 'laid aside' the omniscient power of his Godhood. He didn't lose it, he just didn't use it.
And as for the signs, wonders and miracles, he attributed them all to the Spirit. Again, choosing not to use his 'Godhood' but rather choosing to use the power that is made available to every man.
Certainly plenty of opportunity for study, growth and understanding on my part here. This is just where I'm at right now.
Kenosis, that's what we all need.
Carl
doi! "he 'lost' NONE of his..."
I love the theological play on all the "osis" words. Most cool; and I may steal (with credit, of course) these concepts in my future teaching.
As usuual your comments are right on track in my estimation. I especially like your comment, "He didn't lose it [i.e., His power], He just didn't use it."
Tragically, I think that many Christians, especially immature believers, don't realize that we exercise a type of kenosis as well in our daily living. We choose, by ignorance or design, to "set aside" the power of the Holy Spirit within us and CHOOSE to not use His enabling grace; and thus, we become far less powerful than we could be as agents of God's grace rather than agents of our sin nature.
Christ gives us access to the same power that raised Him from the dead; and we do a human "kenosis" job on it and thusly become vulnerable at best to our spiritual enemies and powerless at worst.
But thanks for your comments to my devotional blog. I'm always edified by your input. ... <'BB><
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