From heaven he came


"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8) 

God's Son, our Lord Jesus, "took the form of a bondservant..." and came into our world. This passage, along with John 1 and others, clearly teaches the pre-existence and deity of Jesus Christ. The point here is not that the second Person of the Trinity ceased to be God, but rather that he took a human nature and dwelt among us as a man. Jesus was not two people, nor was he one person who was half-God and half-human. He is one Person with two natures.

World religions may say that Jesus was a man, a great man, or even a prophet. Or they may say he was a spiritual emanation of God, or an avatar, or something not quite human. Christianity is unique in declaring that he is God and man in one person. When he was born, he was laid in a manger in Bethlehem. He experienced childhood, family life, working, hunger, tiredness, and walking many miles on the roads of Galilee. He humbled himself to suffer and die upon the cross for us. And yet, he has, and will, and is ever receiving worship as God. 

The Magi worshiped him in his infancy, and Thomas said, "My Lord and my God!" at his resurrection. The host of heaven declares, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)  

How can Jesus be both God and man? Below is an illustration I use. Deity and humanity are not the same, just as a triangle and circle are different shapes by definition. But when a triangle and circle are conjoined at one point, then that one point is both part of the triangle and part of the circle. Jesus is that conjunction between God and man, who is fully divine and fully human.

When we receive Jesus, we have received God and are reconciled to God through Christ. We do not climb a ladder to reach God; he came down to us. He died for us and rose again. When we think of Christ setting aside the glory of heaven to be born into our world with all of its sinfulness, poverty, and pain, we should be moved by his love for us and know that our salvation is complete and perfect in him. When Simeon looked into the face of the infant Jesus he said, "...my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples..." (Luke 2:30-31) 

The humble mindset of our Lord -- "Have this mind among yourselves..." -- becomes the pattern also for us in our service to God and to others. This truth calls us to have the same attitude as Christ did in coming to earth. He set aside his heavenly glory and took upon himself the form of a servant. This servant-mindset includes humility, looking after the interests of others (Phil 2:4, 20-21), not grumbling or complaining, and willingness to be poured out in service to others (v. 17). We too, like Jesus, should be willing to set aside our rights and privileges in order to serve God. 

PS. Why is the virgin birth of Jesus important? Professor John Frame answers here. 







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