There is so much depth to fathom with the incarnation. Like the truth that Jesus added humanity to His perfect nature as God. He didn't cease to be God when He became human. These verses teach something that is completely mind-blowing.
The phrase "emptied Himself" is a phrase in the original language that communicates addition to who Jesus already was. Jesus was gloriously supreme as the image of God. He was equal with the Father and worshiped ceaselessly by all of heaven.
This passage doesn't say that He stopped being God to become human. Rather, Jesus laid aside His rights as God, His privileges as the eternal Son, and He took on the form of a servant. For the first time, God the Son took on humility by becoming a man.
The implications of this are incredible. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. That is what the New Testament clearly teaches. Think through what that means. While Jesus was a baby, fragile and new, He was also upholding all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). While He was weak in His body, He was infinitely strong as God.
If He took on the form of a servant, how much more should every second of our lives be filled with humility?
This is a mystery that I don't think we can understand completely. However, there is a point that Paul is trying to make in these verses and the rest of the passage. If Christ, the eternal glorious Son of God, who is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. If Jesus Christ humbled Himself to come and save us and pay for our sins on the cross. If He took on the form of a servant, how much more should every second of our lives be filled with humility?
If we truly know Him, if we have truly believed this gospel, then our lives should be transformed by it. "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." If we are in Christ, this humility ought to be a fruit and a constant pursuit in our lives.
This Christmas season, what would it look like to this world if the humility of Jesus Christ could be seen in our lives, in our families, and in our churches? I pray the good news of Christmas is more than just a story to you this year. I pray that it transforms your everyday life in powerful ways.
