Emptiness is not usually seen as a good thing. In our lives, we have all kinds of technology to alert us when things get close to empty.
- Often I have an alert that goes off to tell me when my gas tank gets close to empty. A bright glowing light and bell goes off alerting me that I’d better stop at “the filling station” and get some gas.
- My bank has an alert that send me both texts and emails alerting me when an account is getting low. It tells me I’d better stop by the bank and make a deposit.
- Our phones and devices have an alert when they run low on power. Every day they let us know when we need to plug them up; otherwise we are going to lose power. Our phones are programed to help us avoid emptiness.
Yet, when it comes to Jesus, His emptiness was not only good; it was necessary so that we could be filled.
In Philippians 2:7 we read the simple words: “he emptied Himself.” That is a huge statement.
To enhance the importance of these statements, it is commonly believed that verses 6-11 were meant to be sung. That’s right: It is believed that Paul, when he wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that he gave them a rhythmic quality so that when this passage was read in churches, they would suddenly start singing these verses to enhance their importance.
Therefore, it is believed that it is a song that Paul wrote to be sung in the early church to bring praise to Jesus and to reinforce the emptiness of Jesus.
Why is the emptiness of Jesus so important? Well, it’s pretty simply, for us to be like Jesus we have to know what Jesus is like and one of the primary things to know about Jesus is that he emptied Himself for you and me.
Transition: So what changes did Jesus go through to come be part of our lives?
I. He Changed His Appearance
vs. 4-7- “Have this attitude in yourselves which is 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 bondservant and being made in the likeness of men. “
Explanation:
To understand Jesus we have to begin in the right place. We have to begin in heaven instead of earth.
The Bible says in verse 6 that before Jesus came to earth “He existed in the form of God, but did not regard equality with God as a thing to be grasped (or literally) to be hung on to.”
In other words, for Jesus to do what we needed for Him to do for us, there were some things that he had to let go and one of those things he let go of what “his form.”
The word “form” is the Greek word “morphe.” It gives a picture of what Jesus did. Before Jesus came to earth he was not like us. He did not have a physical form instead he had a spiritual form.
The Bible tells us in John 4:24: “God is a Spirit and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.” Yet, when Jesus came to earth, he “morphed”--- He became flesh. He became like us. He became a human.
He did not need a body to inhabit like we do; but He morphed and downsized to enter a body so that it might become a vessel to be tried and crucified for you and me.
Illustration: Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers
In 2017 a movie came out called “Power Rangers” stemmed from a 29 television seasons of superheroes that a lot of people watched in the 1990’s.
I always thought the Power Rangers were pretty cool because of their ability to morphe from cool looking kids in skin tight suits with awesome helmets, into these huge “zords” which that inhabited to make them into these massive robots that could fight evil and protect the good.
Any Power Rangers fans out there?
One of my favorite moments in the program was when they suddenly they said what all kids thought was the coolest phrase of all time. They would say: “It’s morphin’ time.”
Application:
The idea of this actually came from this Greek word that is translated “form” in this passage today.
Yet, notice what Jesus “morphed” into? He didn’t morph into something “more mighty” he morphed into something “more lowly.”
Understand this: Just because Jesus morphed into a human did not mean that he ceased being God. Yet, he took on human flesh to become a servant.
Do you want to learn a big theological term today that you will probably never hear again in church? The word is “hypostatic union.” The word literally means: Two natures in one person, unmixed forever.
See Jesus was still God on earth, he was just God in the flesh. For example:
a) In the New Testament we read that God is light. ) I John 1:5)
b) In the New Testament we read that God dwells in “inapproachable” light. I Timothy 6:6
Jesus was God but on earth, he was “veiled in flesh: yet on the Mt. of Transfiguration Jesus took a select group of disciples to the mountain and “revealed his glory.” John speaks about this and said: “We beheld His glory.” John 1:14
Matthew 17: 1-2 records this event saying: “Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James and John his brother and led them up to a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and his garments were as white as light.”
You might ask: “Why didn’t Jesus reveal His glory to everyone?”
Ezekiel helps us understand, because when he saw God this is what he said: “Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like a glowing metal that looked like fire all around it... such was the appearance and likeness of the glory of the Lord, and when I saw it, I fell on my face...” Ezekiel 1: 25-28
Let me explain to you that if Jesus would have not been veiled in flesh, his illuminous glory would have preceded him throughout His earthly ministry and people would have naturally fallen down and worshipped Him.
You might say: What’s wrong with that?
Listen: God wanted people to worship Jesus, not because they were forced to but because they were free to.
Yet, I am here to tell you that a day will come when we will all see Jesus in His glory and the Bible says: “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.” Romans 14:11
You see, Jesus came in the form that He did so we would have a choice. A choice to decide, “What will I do with Jesus.”
Transition: So what changes did Jesus go through to come be part of our lives?
II. He Changed His Address and Activity
vs. 7- “but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in the appearance of a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Explanation:
As Paul continues to speak of Jesus he says: “Being found in appearance as a man...” vs. 8
In other words, Jesus was seen. He could be identified on planet earth. He changed his address from heaven to earth and not only was he on earth but he became a servant to all the people on the earth.
As I read what Jesus did, I cannot help but compare what Jesus did to Adam; the first man that appeared on earth.
In the first temptation, the Devil tempted man saying: “If you eat of this tree you will be like God...” Genesis 3:5
Adam was a man, who wanted to be like God. Yet, compare what Jesus you was God but desired to be like a man. Do you know why? He desperately wanted to provide salvation for us.
Here’s the difference between Adam and Jesus. Let me illustrate it this way:
Adam was grasping for something that did not belong to him.
Jesus was letting go of what was rightfully His.
Verse 6 says: “who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.”
He didn’t cling to what belonged to Him.
Illustration: World Records that no longer will be recorded
I was reading this week about the Guinness Book of World Records. Did you know that recently that have “let go” and have “refused” to record several World Record Categories? Here’s the short list of things you can’t get a world record on anymore:
a) Camel wrestling attendance- If you decide to wrestle a camel, the “book” won’t record it.
Record retired this year yet the last “largest” recorded attendance was 20,000. The reason
why they discontinued it? Animal welfare. Basically they said people need to quit hurting
camels. It’s not nice.
b) Most Guitars Smashed at a Concert- Guinness is not just looking out for camels; they are
looking out for guitars. I am not joking. In 2021 the organization tweeted that they don’t
monitor guitar smashing anymore because of “guitar welfare.” Matthew Bellamy retires
this category with 140 guitars smashed in one concert.
c) Fastest Yodeling- Guinness no longer records this but I am guessing that the organization
just doesn’t like fast yodeling so somebody simply said: “Let it go.” Now its history.
Application:
Those things that have been “let go” are silly trivial things aren’t they? Yet, Paul makes a list of things Jesus let go of:
1. His reputation- (vs. 7) Some versions use this statement about “emptying himself” is
translated as “but made himself no reputation.” The idea of this is that although He was God
He did not use His power to serve Himself; only others. In every case, He used miracles
for the benefit of others never himself.
2. His rights- (vs. 7) He became like a slave; a bondservant. Everything about Jesus’ earthly life
illustrated humility. He was born in a humble town and placed in a manger. He slept in a cave
and His pillow was a stone. He took on a lowly trade as a carpenter. When He died He was
placed in a borrowed tomb.
3. His life- (vs. 8)-The point of this statement was that He had a choice when it came to death.
He agreed to die. Psalm 22:6 tells how he felt in the death. It foreshadowed the cross and said:
“But I am a worm and not a man. A reproach of men and despised by people.” God was
treated like a worm. Imagine that! He not only died; but died the most hideous type of death.
Do you know why Jesus did this? It’s simple: For you and me.
Transition: So what changes did Jesus go through to come be part of our lives?
III. He Changed His Agenda
Vs. 9-11- “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.”
Explanation:
As we read about Jesus in this Easter song about Jesus, we see that the song shifts from a song of emptying to a song of exalting. Yet, we are reminded of what triggers this celebration of Jesus; it was that that He was willing to change His agenda and in that moment of time; that 33 years of life, Jesus adopted God’s agenda.
Those humble years were embraced by Jesus that began with a cradle in Bethlehem, that led to a cross and empty tomb in Jerusalem; and ultimately a throne on heaven.
The first word in verse 9 is the word “Therefore... or for this reason.” It literally means, “Because Jesus did all that we have read so far... this is the result.” Literally, because Jesus adopted this agenda, today verse 9-11 are the reality.
What Jesus does today has been impacted by what he did back in “that” day.
So what is the present reality of Jesus? It’s easily outlined in the final stanza of this “Easter song.”
Jesus’ present reality is:
1) He Is In A Highly Exalted Place- vs 9- The word here means: “He is mega exalted”- He
was exalted to highest place. Listen: No one in the universe has a higher position than Jesus.
In the Bible we find God exalting people.
a) David was a shepherd- yet he was exalted to the position of King.
b) Nehemiah was a butler- yet he was exalted to the position of Governor.
c) Moses was a shepherd- yet he was exalted to become a great deliverer.
d) Joseph was a slave and prisoner- yet he was exalted to 2nd in command next to Pharaoh.
Yet, Jesus was exalted to the Highest place in the universe. Listen: When we say Jesus is “High and lifted up, we’re telling the truth! He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
2) He Receives the Highest Praise- vs. 10-11- These verses tell us the posture that everyone
assume one day—we will all kneel and bow at the feet of Jesus. Also, these verses declare the
profession all will affirm. Everyone someday will say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Do you know why? Jesus accepted and adopted the agenda of the Father.
Do you know what that agenda is? It’s as simple as John 3:16 that says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Jesus became empty so that He might fill our hearts with new life, new hope, and new joy.
Illustration: The Golden Throne
One of the weirdest stories I have ever heard was carried by the Wall Street Journal a few years ago about a wealthy man in Hong Kong named Lam Sai-wing.
Lam grew up poor but was an avid reader who read the words of Vladimir Lenin’s writings that said: “When we are victorious on a world scale, I think we shall all use gold for the purpose of building public lavatories in the streets of some of the largest cities of the world.”
This statement invaded the heart of Lam and strangely enough, he became transfixed on having a toilet built out of gold. This is what he told the Wall Street Journal:
“Building a gold toilet, I realized, was the perfect way for me to put into reality something that has been in my head since I was 16 years old," he called his toilet “his throne” and even referred to it as an “icon. He even called it “A shrine to Lenin. Every time I sit on the throne I am reminded of my net worth and value.”
As I read this, all I could think was: “ If you want to know your worth and value, you are focused on the wrong throne!”
Application:
Listen: If you want to know your value; I encourage you to look beyond earthly thrones, and simply look to Jesus.
II Corinthians 8:9 says: “ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”
That’s what Jesus is all about.
Concluding Illustration: I’m empty, somebody please love me
I was reading about a little orphan boy who immediately after he was born was taken to an orphanage and left there.
As he grew he became more and more aware of the fact that he was unwanted, and as many boys who live with this reality, he began to act out and live out his feelings—feelings of no-value, sorrow, and emptiness.
His behavior became difficult to handle so every so often he was transferred from one facility to the next like a hot potato.
Yet, one day one of the men saw him climbing a tree that he often climbed and instead of telling him to come down the tree he paused and watched. As the boy sat in the tree he pulled out a note bad, wrote a little note, and then climbed down.
Curious about what the boy wrote, the man climbed the tree himself and inside the hollow of the tree were hundreds of pieces of paper. As he pulled out the papers he noticed that there was one message on each piece that simply said: “If anyone finds this, I’m empty, please love me.”
Invitation:
Do you know how God loved the world? He made heaven an empty place. Jesus left His rightful throne, went to the cross and emptied out His life-giving blood, only to empty the tomb and fill our lives up with the greatest love that could ever be known.
So how about it? Will you empty yourself of pride, competing gods, and anything else that keeps you from Jesus? He’s here for you if you will only come to Him today.
