%201.avif)
“But [He] emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7).
Occasionally, I get asked (or sometimes told) about how Jesus stopped being God while he was on earth conducting ministry. The argument goes something like this. “Jesus emptied Himself of the God part and was 100% human, constantly deferring all the miracles He did to God the Father. Then when He ascended into heaven after being raised from the dead (by the Father), He went back to being God again…right, Pastor?”
First of all, I want you to understand why I am taking the time to write this devo. To some, it might sound like a theology class assignment. Certainly, many a seminary student or Bible scholar has dwelled deeply on this question. But my aim here isn’t to enroll all of you in seminary. The truth is, if you have given your life to Jesus, it is VITAL that you understand who He is and what He truly did for you.
Second of all, I believe that many people are confused about what happened when Jesus came to “dwell among us” (John 1:14). And having a solid understanding of Jesus’ journey from heaven to earth matters for all who follow Him.
So allow me to be your Bible tour guide for the next few paragraphs. There are three passages of note that I believe will clear up the matter of Jesus, His divinity, and His humanity.
The first passage is Philippians 2:5-7. It reads as such: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” The word that matters most is “emptied.” This is usually the verse where people land when they are making a case for Jesus not being God while on earth. He emptied Himself of being God and lowered Himself under the Father.
The reason this argument is so compelling is because part of that argument is true. Jesus voluntarily emptied Himself of something. And He did not consider equality with the Father a thing to be grasped. All throughout His earthly ministry, He deferred to the Father as the source of knowledge, wisdom, and miracles.
But the root Greek word for empty (as used in verse 7) is kenosis. It best translates as “a divestiture (or laying down) of position or privilege. Notice it doesn’t say, “an abandonment of one’s identity.” Simply put, Jesus did not stop being God when He came to earth, He simply laid down the privileges that come with that position. Could the immortal God bleed, fatigue, be tempted by sin, or die? Of course not. The privileges of being God include not having to experience what we do as humans. But when the Word, God the Son, was made flesh, He chose to live that human life for the time He was allotted. So, kenosis simply means He chose not to use the privileges that come with being God. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man at the same time (and that has not changed since).
The second passage is found in John 1:1-2. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” What’s important here is to note that the Word IS God and has always been God. Later, in verse 14, we learn that same Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. That’s how we know that the Word became Jesus. Jesus (the man) did not always exist. But the Word who became flesh has always existed as God. The second person of the Trinity, God the Son, the Word. All one in the same. 2,000 years ago, He became flesh and was called Jesus, and to this day, He is both.
The third passage comes from Colossians 2:9. “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” This is the verse that clearly identifies Jesus as 100% God and 100% man. Some might see being 100% of two different things as contradictory or bad math. But as for me, I am 100% husband, 100% father, and 100% man. We should have no problem with this kind of math.
So, we come back to the “why” question again. Why is it important for a follower of Jesus to know this? Think about it this way. IF the most important person in your life was your spouse (and for many, it is), then you need no explanation as to why you would want to know everything about that person. What their favourite food was, where they wanted to travel one day, who ticks them off in their list of contacts, what they believe about God, science, etc.
We profess belief in Jesus and we declare ourselves totally surrendered to Him. We call Him the friend who sticks closer than a brother. One day, He will be our spiritual bridegroom. Whatever those things mean, knowing everything there is to know about Him is what makes your relationship with Him stronger and richer.
So, there you are. A little biblical understanding of the God-man, Jesus Christ.