"The Word Became Flesh”
REVIEW
Paul’s letter to the Jesus followers living in a Greek city called Philippi contains the necessary ingredients of a life of “Joy No Matter What”. The first ingredient is found in the first chapter where Paul calls us to adopt the Right axis in life. Make sure our life revolves around the superior life perspective of exalting Christ in everything. It is possible to exalt Christ no matter what may be going on around us by the furtherance of the Kingdom or by our Christ-honoring response to it. He modeled that by his own experience which he shared in chapter 1. He then mandated the kind of behavior worthy of a citizen of the eternal kingdom.
Unity against the opposition. Unity with each other based on humility
Paul based this call to unity on the reality of…
encouragement through our unity with Christ
meaningful consolation from the experience of God’s love
essential partnership with the indwelling Sprit
God’s deep compassion and mercy for us.
Paul exhorted the Philippians to fill up his joy cup by a manifested humble unity.
He next urged them to consider how Jesus actually modeled everything he asked them to do.
…doing nothing from rivalry or empty conceit
…humbly esteeming others more important than Himself
…looking to the interests of others over His own
This becomes the second clue to maintaining the joy of the Lord no matter what.
II. MAINTAIN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE -- SUPERIOR PATTERN OF LIVING
Humble Obedience modeled by Jesus
These seven verses have been considered some of the most powerful in the New Testament. Paul instructed the believers to continually have the same kind of thinking that Jesus had concerning humble obedience and service to others. Today I want to spend some time on one critical nature of Jesus’ Incarnation to our wonderful salvation. John clearly taught the identity of the Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:1-3
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
This passage expands on that one short phrase, “the Word became flesh.” Jesus clearly brought joy to the heart of His Father by His actions.
Have this thinking 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 bond-servant, 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.
Three realities stand out in this passage.
1. Christ’s eternal divine form/nature
2. The decision to take on mortal human form/nature
3. The Father’s response to Jesus’ sacrificial obedience
1. Christ’s eternal divine form
Paul used both His Messianic name (Christ) and His given name (Jesus). Paul referenced his eternal existence. The original text uses a present tense participle (ing word). Many translations translate this phrase “although He existed”. Others, I think more accurately, translate the present participle “although existing”. The Greek scholar Wuest expands on this phrase.
who has always been and at present continues to subsist in that mode of being in which He gives outward expression of His essential nature, that of absolute deity, which expression comes from and is truly representative of His inner being
The true eternal nature of Jesus must remain clear. Paul here affirmed that Jesus always eternally existed and still is in a nature equal with God. The term “form” refers to the nature and attributes of a thing. Sometimes it could refer to an outward manifestation of an inner nature.
After these things Jesus appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Mark 16:12-13
Paul contrasted “divine form” and “human form” in this same passage.
Jesus, eternally existing with a divine nature, at a point in time took on human nature. This has traditionally been called the “Incarnation”. This refers to embodiment of a spirit in a human form. “The Incarnation” specifically refers to the eternal Christ taking on mortal flesh. Paul clearly spelled out the reality of Jesus’ equality with God to the Colossians.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15
The writer of Hebrews was equally clear regarding His Divinity.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high… Hebrews 1:3
Jesus Himself claimed equality with God.
I and the Father are one.” John 10:30
This was clearly understood by the Jews.
The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” John 10:31-33
Jesus told Philip…
Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. John 14:9
Jesus’ “existing in the form” of God clearly affirms His divine nature.
2. The decision to take on mortal human form/nature
In order to reconcile man to God, Jesus voluntarily adopted a human nature. He DID NOT regard the public display of His divinity something to be insisted upon. He willingly took on a human nature.
The passage says He “emptied” Himself.
The emphasis highlights the contrasting actions. He didn’t insist on the exclusive manifestation of His divinity BUT “emptied” Himself. The term translated “emptied” refers to something that has been nullified of value, emptied of recognition. The passage identifies the intended sense of this “emptying”. It was not that He became less God, but added humanity. Paul actually clarifies “emptying” by the next phrase.
“Taking the form of a slave” even though He was existing in the form of deity.
Jesus did not empty Himself of the reality of His deity only the recognition and independent exercise. Rather than be the object of absolute adoration and reverence, Jesus willingly appeared on earth as a slave having been born as a helpless baby. The Immortal God took on the likeness of mortal man. The humanity of Jesus expressed itself all though His ministry. He got tired. He got hungry. He could be hurt. He could bleed and die.
He did not insist on being served as Sovereign but willingly came to serve as a slave. The absence of glorification on earth appears in Jesus’ prayer just before His death.
And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 17:5
Jesus forever became the God/Man through His birth when the Holy Spirit “came upon” the virgin Mary. The full comprehension of this phenomenon eludes us. What must be recognized from the clear assertions of Scripture is that Jesus, the eternal Word took on flesh at the appointed time in human history. Whereas God created man in HIS image at creation. God, in Christ, took on man’s image at Mary’s conception. Whatever the interaction between these two natures, we must never diminish either His Deity OR His humanity. He was fully Divine. He was fully human. Errors in both directions have occupied volumes of discussion throughout time. This union remains as mysterious as the Trinity. Such identification with humanity was absolutely essential to our salvation.
The writer of Hebrews wrote to convince faltering Jewish Christians that following Jesus was far superior to Judaism. He urged them not to return to Judaism because Jesus is far superior in every way.
What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.” Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. Hebrews 2:9-18
The Incarnation was necessary for our salvation.
• He took on flesh in order to “die on our behalf.”
• He took on flesh in order to “bring us to glory.”
• He took on flesh and suffered in order to “bring us into our salvation”.
• He took on flesh in order to “break the power of the devil”.
• He took on flesh in order to “free us from the fear of dying.”
• He took on flesh in order to become our “faithful High Priest before God.”
• He took on flesh in order to “take away the sins of the people.”
• He took on flesh in order to better “help us when we are being tested.”
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16
• He took on flesh in order to completely understand our weakness and provide boldness to come to the throne of grace.
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:8-10
• He took on flesh show obedience in suffering.
• He took on flesh in order to be the “source of eternal salvation.”
There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore, he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:23-25
• The eternal Christ took on human flesh qualifying Him as a permanent High Priest to “once and forever save” and forever live to intercede”.
The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4
• He took on flesh to satisfy the requirement of the law for us.
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to redeem us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. Galatians 4:4-5
• He took on flesh to redeem us and enable divine adoption
As you can see the Incarnation is critical to our salvation and daily walk. He did not insist on the exclusive manifestation of His Godlike form. He “emptied” Himself by taking on a manlike form.
He “humbled” Himself by become obedient.
This humbling was evidenced by becoming obedient to death on a cross. Humility means to see oneself as low or make oneself low or weak. The current culture viewed this trait negatively. The Bible views this trait as necessary and attractive. It is the key ingredient to obedience and unity. Jesus’ humility expressed itself in obedience to His Father.
3. The Father’s response to Jesus’ sacrificial obedience
In response to the humble obedience of Jesus…
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16
What was not recognized widely during His time on earth or really since, will one day be fully recognized by ALL people past and present.
Here is a story to help visualize this event. There was a sovereign King who ruled most of the land. His territory was so large not every people in the territory even knew the king or that he actually ruled over them. One day the king decided to find a way to draw in all the remote peoples of the kingdom. He decided to send his only son, the crown Prince to travel the kingdom and spread the good news of the kingdom. However, he would send him out not as the crown prince but like one of the peasant peoples in order to identify with them and better communicate the benefits of the kingdom. Not everyone accepted this foreigner. His news of an unknown benevolent king over them threatened the local war lords and they eventually captured and killed the crown prince. However, it was through the efforts of this crown prince that the varied tribes of the kingdom found reconciliation with the king and came to understand the wonder of their new-found citizenship.
This passage contains significant truth regarding the person of Christ yet the actual context of this passage has to do with embracing the same attitude that Jesus modeled in regard to humble obedience.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5
James called for the same mind-set.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:7,8,10
Peter also addressed this foundational attitude.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
God calls us not only to embrace Jesus, but live like Him. So many passages instruct us to live like Jesus; follow His example. Paul, here told the Philippians to have the same thinking of humble obedience that Jesus demonstrated.
Peter challenged his readers to suffer like Christ suffered.
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25
Paul exhorted the Ephesians to follow Jesus’ example.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:32-5:2
Do you want to be like Jesus? Before you say, “Yes!”, be sure you understand what that actually means.
• Humbly obey like He humbly obeyed.
• Live holy like He lived holy.
• Love unconditionally like He loved unconditionally.
• Work the Father’s works like He worked the Father’s work.
• Minister compassionately like He ministered compassionately.
• Serve selflessly like He served selflessly.
• Forgive completely like He forgave completely.
• Pray passionately like He prayed passionately.
• Sacrifice willingly like He sacrificed willingly.
Christlikeness is our destiny.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29
Christlikeness is currently in process.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Christlikeness will culminate at Christ’s return.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
Paul expressed confidence in this process at the beginning of his letter.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
This includes an ultimate physical transformation.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21
This is possible because the eternal Word who was God became flesh and dwelt among us. John declared, “…and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Embrace Him today.
Emulate Him today.
