Jesus Christ – the God-Man
Philippians 2: 5-11
Today we come to a passage of Scripture that I approach with great delight and humility. I am well aware that all Scripture was given by inspiration of God, and yet in my estimation, this is one of the greatest paragraphs recorded in the entire Bible. While we do not have the mental capacity to fully comprehend all Paul reveals here, it is clear that he is speaking of Jesus Christ our Lord, the eternal God-Man and Savior of humanity.
Of all the men who ever lived, none have impacted the entire human race as this Man. He is the central figure of all time and eternity. While the Bible offers much concerning Jesus Christ, He is also the focus of more books, songs, poems, and other literary works than anyone else in history. Even though many continue to reject Him as the only begotten Son of God, His impact on humanity cannot be denied. I am thankful I met Him as a young boy, submitting to Him by faith for salvation. Unfortunately many refuse to accept Jesus as the Christ. Larry King, the renowned news anchor and reporter was interviewed by Bryant Gumble on national television. At the close of the interview, Gumble asked King, “If you could as God one question, what would it be?” King, a self-professed Jew responded, “I would ask Him if He has a Son.” Dr. Adrian Rogers said this, “To explain Him is impossible; to ignore Him is disastrous; to reject Him is fatal. My speech is too limited to describe Him; my mind is too small to comprehend Him; and my heart is inadequate to fully contain this One whose name is Jesus.” (i)
As we move through this wonderful passage, I want to discuss the attributes of our Lord as we consider: Jesus Christ – the God-Man.
I. The Sovereignty of Christ (5-6) – As we begin today, Paul deals with the sovereign position of Christ. Consider:
A. His Identity (5) – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. While our Lord is the focus of many of Paul’s writings, he never seems to miss an opportunity to proclaim Him again to the reader. It is also interesting to note that Paul rarely calls Him by the name Jesus alone. He usually identifies Him as Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus, using both names to refer to our Lord and Savior. This is quite significant when we pause to consider it. Christ is the Greek word Christos and has the same meaning as the Hebrew title – Messiah. It refers to Christ as the anointed One. He is recognized as our High Priest, our Redeemer, Mediator and Intercessor. Jesus was the Lord’s birth name, chosen by God. It means – Jehovah is salvation. The name Jesus speaks of His person and declares His deity as the Son of God. Christ Jesus is clearly the focus of this passage.
B. His Equality (6) – Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Many of the Jews had great difficulty with this claim. In fact, this was the deciding factor in their consent to His crucifixion. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, literally God in the flesh. Although He dwelt among men in human form, He possessed all the deity and character of God. His very essence was that of God. The word “form” speaks of the outward appearance. Christ was the embodiment of God in human flesh. It is interesting to note this is the only time in Scripture that we find this word translated robbery. It pictures a thief taking something that wasn’t his. Christ was not in any way acting in deceit or assuming something that did not belong to Him through His claim of equality with God. He was, and is, God. John 14:9 – Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 10:30 – I and my Father are one.
C. Our Conformity (5) – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Paul used this statement to lead into the thoughts to come. One cannot truly understand verse 5 apart from Vv.6-11. However, Paul admonished the believer to possess the mind of Christ. As we will discover, Christ possessed a heart and mind of submission, humility, and commitment to the Father. We cannot provide for our salvation; that was the work of Christ alone. However, we are to conform to His image, seeking to possess the same mind and attitude Christ had regarding our complete, surrendered devotion to the Father and His divine will for our lives. Eph.5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. I will admit this is a daunting task, but it is expected of us. Alone we could never accomplish such submission and humility, but in Christ it is possible.
II. The Humanity of Christ (7-8) – Following his description and admiration of the sovereignty of Christ, Paul discussed His humanity. One cannot adequately consider Christ apart from His humanity. He was, and is, wholly God and wholly man. He is the eternal God-Man. Consider:
A. His Submission (7a) – But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant. Bear in mind, Paul is speaking of the Lord Himself. Take a moment to consider the glories He enjoyed prior to coming to this earth. He had always existed. There was never a moment in eternity past that Christ didn’t exist. During that time, He enjoyed the presence of the Father, the worship of the angels, and the splendors of heaven. Although He didn’t lose His deity when He came to earth, He was willing to lay aside His glory in order to put on a robe of flesh. The glory of God, revealed in the Son, was veiled in human flesh. Instead of receiving the worship of angels in heaven, He submitted to the role of a servant here on earth. The Sovereign was willing to serve the sinful. Christ literally emptied Himself of many of the divine rights and privileges He possessed as God. He laid aside His glory in order to provide for our redemption!
B. His Incarnation (7b) – But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Paul speaks of the incarnation, the birth of Christ through a virgin womb. He did not come in the majesty of God; He came in the likeness of men. Christ humbled Himself and took on the form of a man. The Creator was willing to be subject to the creature. The eternal God was willing to accept the limitations of a physical body. He who existed in eternity past was willing to be bound by the restraints of time. He who was holy and righteous was willing to condescend to the lowly estate of mankind. He did not come to the pleasures and securities of a palace. He was born in obscurity in a cattle stall. He did not have servants meeting His every need; He served those He encountered. He experienced pain, loneliness, hunger, exhaustion, thirst, betrayal, etc.…He emptied Himself to become a man. What a loving, compassionate Savior we serve!
C. His Crucifixion (8) – And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Here Paul speaks of the humble obedience of Christ, submitting to the will of God by offering Himself on the cross. I am certain we are unable to fully comprehend the enormity of Calvary. There the innocent bore the judgment reserved for the guilty. On the cross death was embraced so the sinful and undeserving could possess life. The eternal God, robed in flesh, willingly submitted to an agonizing death of the cross.
The crucifixion of Jesus was viewed by many in that day as the horrible conclusion to a life lived in deceit. Many viewed Him as an imposter, a blasphemous rebel. They considered Calvary to be a moment that proclaimed the defeat of one who wasn’t what he appeared. Those who held that view, and even those who continue to believe that His death revealed a failed life, could not be more mistaken and ill-informed. Jesus always knew the cross would come. Although His flesh dreaded the suffering and abuse, He embraced the cross in order to fulfill the Father’s plan. Jesus came with purpose, and His death on the cross was that purpose. Heb.10:4-5, 9 – For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. [5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
D. His Provision (8) – In this profound statement, we must also consider the gracious provision secured through the Lord’s great sacrifice on the cross. His death was the means of atonement for our sin. Through His perfect, sinless sacrifice, the wrath of God was appeased and payment was made for the sins of humanity. In His death, Christ purchased our salvation, redeeming us from sin and reconciling us to God. The impassable divide caused by sin was bridged through the sacrifice of the Son! 1 Pet.2:24 – Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Pet.3:18 – For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
III. The Majesty of Christ (9-11) – After speaking of the obedience of Christ to death on the cross, Paul affirms the resurrected majesty He now enjoys. The cross was not the end for Christ. Consider:
A. His Position (9) – Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. The obedient sacrifice of Christ pleased God the Father. Following His finished work on the cross, and glorious resurrection from the dead, Christ was exalted of the Father, and given a name which is above every name. Men may have denied and rejected Him, but the Father exalted Him. Many cursed His name, and many still do, but His name has been exalted above all others. The Father has proclaimed the deity and glorified rank of the sovereign Son.
B. His Recognition (10) – That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. While many had heard the truth of the Gospel, and made a conscious decision to reject it, Paul reveals all will bow in humble submission before the Son of God. The angels in heaven will bow in honor and adoration to His name. Every soul that ever lived upon this earth, will at some point bow at the name of Jesus. We can bow to Him in submission at salvation or bow to Him in condemnation at the judgment, but all will bow. Kings and paupers, intelligent and uneducated, rich and poor, famous and unknown – all will bow before the Lord. Even the devil and his minions will bow at the name of Jesus. Every created being will at some moment bow in recognition of Christ!
C. The Confession (11) – And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Not only will every created being bow the knee to the sovereign Christ, every tongue will also confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Satan and those who follow him refuse to submit and confess the lordship of Christ, but there is coming a day when all will proclaim the deity and lordship of Christ. I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to bow and confess Him as Lord in this life, receiving salvation, rather than having to do so in condemnation prior to being cast out of His presence for eternity.
Conclusion: As we close, it is interesting to note the word confess in verse 11 literally means to agree or say the same thing. In essence we must agree with God the Father that Jesus Christ is Lord. We must agree that He alone is the means and way of salvation. We must acknowledge our acceptance of the Father is dependent on our relationship with the Son. Have you agreed with God and received Christ as Lord and Savior? If not, I urge you to do so. If you refuse to do so in this life, you will eventually in judgment, but that will be too late to be accepted into heaven and possess eternal life. If you have confessed Christ as Lord, rejoice in the salvation you have received and commit to confessing Him before others!
i. The Adrian Rogers Legacy Collection - The Adrian Rogers Legacy Collection – Sermons. WORDsearch, Lifeway, Inc., Electronic Edition.
