“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8, NIV).
In many ways this is the greatest and most moving passage the apostle Paul ever wrote about Jesus. The truth in these words, is so majestic that I tremble at the thought of commenting on them, lest I say too little and diminish their power and glory or say too much and detract from their glorious truth.
This “Who” that Paul is speaking of, is Christ Jesus. This “Who, being … God,” is the same
entity as “Word” in John’s introduction of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:1, 14).
This “Who, … did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; … made himself nothing.” Or as the New Living Translation reads, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges.”
This “Who” laid aside majestic glory and power to become human, just like you and me, and to become a servant to all. This “Who, … made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
And being human, this “Who, … humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” What humiliation. You cannot get any lower in status than death on a cross. Here is God coming into our suffering world and suffering with us. Here is God coming into our world of death and experiencing death with us, and, most importantly, for us.
This Jesus, who had everything, gave it up to become human, and walk where we walk, experiencing what we experience. He who was God, gave up royal rank, privilege, and rights to become a human being with all the limitations, temptations, agonies, disappointments, and griefs that are part of the human situation.
The story and its truth are so gloriously incredible, so astounding, that we may never fully comprehend it. But that is okay. To be in awe, even puzzled awe, when contemplating God’s coming to us in Christ Jesus, is a proper Christian response.
I pray that as you look at the crucified Jesus hanging on the cross and begin to understand even a little of what was happening and why, you cannot help but fall at his feet in confession and adoration, singing, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all.”
HOWEVER, this awesome story of Jesus, nestled in the middle of Paul’s letter, not only gives us a vivid description of WHO Jesus is, but is also God’s commanding call to us as the basis for our daily, holy living.
In the three prior verses, 3-5, Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to you own interest but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, ….”
Paul will not allow us to simply stand at some safe distance and gaze at an old rugged cross. We must go beyond simply giving honor to Jesus. We are called to imitate him. We are called to go to the cross with him, to die to our selfish ambitions and rights. Only then can we be raised to a new life, with new desires, new ambitions, new hopes, and a whole new understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in this world.
This is the good news of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Jesus Christ not only left the “Ivory Palaces” of heavenly glory to give us an example of holy, Godly living, but also through his death and resurrection to make possible the transformation we need to live such a life. His victory over death makes possible the enabling power of his Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
Jesus was able to go through the garden agony and endure the suffering and shame of crucifixion, because he trusted in his Father to make everything well beyond the cross.
And so, Paul admonishes us as a community of faith, to have the same mind, the same attitude, the same trust, and the same spirit that led Jesus to the cross. This Jesus mindset is the only means whereby we will be enabled to look beyond this world and live in a way that glorifies Christ today, and in our death, experience resurrection and exaltation with Christ. AMEN!
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 27, 2022
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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