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 bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8.
Christmas is a spectacular time to remind believers of the coming of Christ. We are accustomed to wrapping Christmas around biblical texts that focus on His birth. This text in Philippians does not fit our normal Christmas context especially around our cultural context of trees and gifts. Regardless of those trappings, most genuine believers are able to navigate around the cultural stuff to keep their minds focused on the true nature of Christmas.
Philippians is a much bigger picture of Jesus incarnation with little focus on His entrance as an infant. It anchors the coming of Christ into a much bigger narrative and yet it is a vital piece of understanding the birth of the Christ Child.
There are four irrevocable elements to this narrative: self-emptying, bondservant, humility, and obedience.
Self-emptying is the nature of His incarnation. Understanding the nuances and theological construct would take time but the idea here is Christ abandoned His abode with the Triune Godhead and took on a role very different than being part of the sovereign Godhead to take the role of a servant.
Bondservant was His posture here on earth. He placed Himself under the purpose and will of the Father and served the divine plan of redemption. He did not come to do His own will be the Fathers (John 5:19). Only a true servant could accomplish the grueling task of perfection dwelling among sinful humanity and fully accomplish the divine purpose.
Humility has to be one of the most powerful characteristics in redemption. Humility, in and of itself, was willing to take on this role that was so foreign to the Godhead. They were sovereign, omnipotent and omnipresent. And yet, Jesus chose to function here on earth with the limitations of human finiteness. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, He lived a perfect life and offered the only sacrifice possible to satisfy the wrath of the Father in order to redeem sinful humanity. It is truly extraordinary.
Obedience in the face of evil and suffering is remarkable beyond words. Hebrews reminds us that because of the joy set before Him, Jesus despised the shame of the cross and through death satisfied God’s righteous judgment and was exalted to the right hand of the Father. He was not just obedient but obedient unto death and even death on the cross.
These elements are the picture of Jesus incarnation. This text is a powerful reminder of the gospel and how that gospel shaped the way Jesus lived and died. This was God’s response to a sinful and evil world where Satan was the god of this world holding humanity in his power. This is the message of hope that God truly cares about the hopelessness of our sinful condition, unable to resolve our own separation from the Father.
This is the larger narrative of Christmas. The birth of Christ is the inauguration of a much larger story. This story is God’s story as He sends His champion to destroy the power of the devil, demonstrated a Spirit-filled, God-honoring life, and willing to be obedient even to the cross so humanity can be reconciled to God.
Merry Christmas
Pastor Brad
