I have been very hesitant to tackle this next passage just because it is straight HEAVY. Scholars and Bible historians have referred to this passage as the “Hymn of Christ” because of its rich theology and Christology (theology of Jesus). Paul is waxing poetically as he writes in an ancient form of poetry in the Greek to express Jesus and his humble service to God and the world.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
(((Joel Thoughts))) To pick up where we left off, Paul was explaining to the Church in Philippi that they must be humble and loving to all if they were to follow the ways of Jesus and live in the Holy Spirit. Paul says, “Hey, if you want an example look no further than our leader, Jesus.” Although Christians cannot completely imitate the exact ministry of Jesus while he was on earth, but we are called to approach every situation we might find with the same attitude that Jesus carried with his life, death, and resurrection.
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
(((Joel Thoughts))) It is highly orthodox to believe that Jesus was fully God and He was fully God. He was preexistant and was always with the Father and the Holy Spirit even during the creation of the world. Jesus has always been just as God the Father, and the Holy Spirit has always been. The Holy Trinity has always existed and lived in perfect loving community with eachother…(just try to wrap your mind around that!!)
(((Joel Thoughts))) The thinking can become messy because the text says Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Does that mean that he could not grasp equality with the father???–Stay away from that because you run into Trinitarian heresy. Throughout Church history, 2 major interpretations of this passage both do justice in my opinion. 1) Christ always possessed equality with God the Father and chose not to cling to it on earth. 2) Christ had no need to grasp at equality with God because he already had it. In my opinion, the first interpretation fits the context of what’s to come a little better.
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
(((Joel Thoughts))) This verse has also caused up plenty of controversy throughout the history of the Church and Bible teachers. Some have suggested that this is the Kenosis passage meaning that Christ emptied himself of his divine powers and abilities such as his omniscience and omnipotency while he was on earth. I have a hard time believing that because of many other passages of prophecy during Jesus’ ministry and his miracles that he performed while on earth. I tend to lean towards this interpretation—–Jesus was and is God who was sitting on an eternal throne in heaven where he was being magnified and worshipped by leagues and leagues of angels. He deserved to be there in all of His glory and splendor. Although Jesus rightfully deserved to be on his throne—His great love for mankind led Him to leave the heavens and come to mankind to teach us how to live in the Kingdom of God and reconcile us back to Him. Jesus was born as a normal, poor, Jewish baby so that we might see the power of God in a weak vessel such as ourselves.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
(((JoelThoughts))) If the reincarnation of Jesus-the eternal son of God as a lowly, poor baby wasn’t enough….Jesus came to earth and suffered a Roman crucifixtion. The Romans used crucifixtion as the ultimate public humiliation and punishment for vile criminals. Jesus knew what was ahead of Him, and yet he humbled himself to a public execution—for us. Let us remember that Jesus was being worshipped without ceasing in heaven and came to earth to live with us and for us. He also died for us in humility. This is the ultimate example of how we should live life in humility. We should consider others just as we consider ourself. Because of Jesus’ humble service to live and die for us….He is the most famous one…the Holy one who one day will receive all praise from ALL creation.
If we follow Jesus’ example of living humbly and living for others…when our time is done, just as God told Jesus after His baptism, “This is my son, whom I am well pleased,” we will receive the same response.
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