The Great Hymns of Christ, Part 1 (Philippians 2:5-11)
As Christendom prepares to mark the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, much of the Church will consider the implications of Christ’s incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension. This week at Cash Creek consider with us the perfect example of humility involved in Christ’s lowering of Himself and his subsequent ascension to not just heaven, but to a state of exaltation that supersedes His pre-incarnate state all for the purpose of glorifying our heavenly Father.
This Sunday we will study Philippians 2:5-11. This set of seven verses comprises the first of a series of “hymns” that focus upon the mighty work of Christ. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, it is crucial that we more fully grasp the Gospel by encountering the one, true Christ by the authority of His revealed word. The context of what the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2 is one of exhortation to be more Christ-like. It is in this framework, that we begin to see how this gem of a passage communicates truth that should impact individual believers and the Church in a meaningful way.
One of the things that stand out in this “hymn,” is the notion that Christ emptied Himself. From what did He empty Himself? His deity? Never! Christ provides the ultimate example for His Church in His humiliating act of service and love. He emptied Himself not of His divinity; rather, He forsook His glorious position and face-to-face unity with His Father. Only when we begin to contemplate how low Christ thrust Himself (even to the point of death on a cross), will we begin to understand the awesome impact of the Gospel on sinners. When we see Jesus’ humility played out in the larger narrative of redemptive history, we begin to understand the impact upon the unity of His Church. His example should be reflected in the character of His bride (self – denial, -giving, and -sacrificing).
The second thing we must consider as we look at this passage is the exaltation of Christ. When Jesus ascended to heaven, did He take back a greater glory than when He left? Many will argue, and I shall concur that yes, indeed, the wonder and glory as great as it was when Jesus voluntarily humiliated Himself, was still not as majestic as after His ascension. The power of the resurrection and his subsequent coronation supersedes that of the pre-incarnate Jesus. “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).
Come to Cash Creek this Sunday to hear the full exposition of this passage or listen to it at this site next week. Soli deo gloria!
