He Made Himself Nothing

This year during the season of Advent we will be looking at some of the reasons Jesus came to us – how He demonstrates humility, how He shows us compassion, how He brings is light, how He gives us life.

Philippians 2:5–7 NIV84

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

In order to fully appreciate what it means for Jesus Christ to be born in Bethlehem we want to remember His position prior to that.

Was in very nature God

Before His birth in Bethlehem. He has always existed.

He is the Creator, by whom and for whom all things were created

To Him belong all power and authority

One with the Father, from all eternity He shared in the glory of God.

Did not try to hold on to it

Was not possessive of His status, His rights and privileges

Did not use His deity for His own advantage

Made Himself nothing

Never stopped being God, but set aside His position and acting like God. Undercover Boss.

He Himself set aside His power, His position, His privileges

A rider on horseback, many years ago, came across a squad of soldiers who were trying to move a heavy piece of timber. A corporal stood by, giving lordly orders to “heave.” But the piece of timber was a trifle too heavy for the squad.

“Why don’t you help them?” asked the quiet man on the horse, addressing the important corporal.

“Me? Why, I’m a corporal, sir!” Dismounting, the stranger carefully took his place with the soldiers.

“Now, all together, boys—heave!” he said. And the big piece of timber slid into place. The stranger mounted his horse and addressed the corporal.

“The next time you have a piece of timber for your men to handle, corporal, send for your commander-in-chief.”

The horseman was George Washington.

Took the nature of a servant

Made in human likeness – the Incarnation

Became one of us

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

We should have the same attitude

Not seeing ourselves as above some service or some people but willing to do what needs to be done, to help those who cannot help themselves.

John 13:12–17 NIV84

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

I used to think, that God’s gifts were on shelves

one

above

another

and the taller we grow,

The easier we can reach them.

Now I find, that

God’s gifts are on shelves

one

beneath

another

and the lower we stoop,

The more we get.

—F. B. Meyer