The Great Descent And The Glorious Ascent Series

Introduction:

If you were to search the entirety of Scripture for the single most profound description of who Jesus is and what He did, you would inevitably land right here in Philippians chapter 2. Theologians call this the "Kenosis" passage, named after the Greek word in verse 7 for "emptied" or "made himself of no reputation."

In the early church, this passage was likely sung as a hymn. It is a masterpiece of theology, illustrating a V-shaped trajectory. It shows us the highest height, the lowest depth, and the highest height once more. Paul does not give us this rich theology simply to fill our heads with knowledge, but to bend our knees in worship and to transform the way we treat one another. Let us trace this magnificent journey of our Savior.

I. The Sovereign Status: The Majesty of the Son (v. 6)

Paul begins in eternity past. Before the manger in Bethlehem, before the foundation of the world, there was the Son.

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God..."

* The "Form" of God: The Greek word used here for "form" is morphe. It does not mean a superficial shape or an outward appearance. It means the very essence, the unchangeable nature of a thing. Jesus did not just resemble God; He possessed the exact nature and attributes of God Almighty.

* "Not Robbery": Jesus did not have to grasp, snatch, or steal equality with God, because it was already His by eternal right. He sat on the throne of heaven, worshipped by angels, holding the universe together by the word of His power.

Yet, in a display of love that shatters human comprehension, He looked at a fallen, rebellious world and chose not to cling to His divine privileges.

II. The Supreme Surrender: The Mystery of the Manger and the Cross (v. 7-8)

The journey downward begins. Step by step, the King of Glory descends into the darkness of our human condition.

"But made himself of no reputation..."

Literally, He "emptied Himself." He did not empty Himself of His deity—He was fully God on earth as He was in heaven. Rather, He emptied Himself of His glory. He laid aside the independent use of His divine attributes. The One who created the oceans became thirsty; the One who sustains the cosmos grew weary.

"...and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men..."

Notice the word morphe ("form") appears again. Just as He was in the true, essential "form" of God, He now takes on the true, essential "form" of a servant. The Sovereign became a slave. The Word became flesh.

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

The descent did not stop at the manger. It went deeper. He could have come as a human king, but He came as a peasant. He could have lived a long, comfortable human life, but He yielded to death. And not just any death—the death of the cross. This was the most agonizing, humiliating, and cursed form of execution known to the ancient world. The Author of Life permitted His own creatures to nail Him to a tree.

III. The Sovereign Supremacy: The Majesty of the Exalted Lord (v. 9-11)

Because Jesus went as low as it was possible to go, God the Father raised Him as high as it is possible to be raised. The great descent is followed by the glorious ascent.

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name..."

The grave could not hold Him. Jesus did not merely return to His former glory; He returned as the victorious God-Man, the conquering Savior. He was given the ultimate name of supreme authority.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..."

There is a day coming when the debate about who Jesus is will be settled forever. Notice the universal scope of this worship:

* Things in heaven: Angels and redeemed saints.

* Things in earth: Every living human being, from the greatest kings to the lowest peasants.

* Things under the earth: Even the forces of darkness and the unredeemed will be forced to acknowledge the truth.

Every knee will bow. Some will bow in glad adoration and joyful surrender. Others will bow in sheer terror and defeated submission. But all will bow, and all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Kurios)—the sovereign Ruler of all.

Conclusion:

Why did Paul write this magnificent hymn? Remember verse 5: "Let this mind be in you..." The world tells us that the way to greatness is to push yourself to the top, to assert your rights, to demand your due. But the Gospel tells us that the way up is down. Jesus Christ, the Lord of the universe, conquered sin and death not by demanding His rights, but by relinquishing them; not by grasping for power, but by pouring Himself out in love.