INTRODUCTION Kenosis is a Greek term that is referenced in the Bible in Philippians 2:5-11 (AMP) and refers to the “emptying of Christ.” There is much that this verse, and others in the Bible, have to say about Christ, his deity, his birth (incarnation), his life, death and resurrection. These Biblical truths are evidence that support his “emptying” and explain his purpose(s). Understanding of the whole of Christ’s deity and humanity, his purpose and his actions, all shed light on what Christ emptied himself of when he became flesh and why that is important. Taken verse by verse, we can expand on what God wants us to understand; substantiating it with other Biblical texts. CHRIST IS THE EXAMPLE “Have this same attitude in yourselves which …show more content…
He was without sin, fully God and fully man all at the same time; molding mankind (Exodus 4:11, Jeremiah 1:5), while simultaneously being born into it. Christ was directing our paths (Proverbs 20:24) and forming the clay (our beings, soul and body), while synchronously learning carpentry alongside his earthly father. He was loving and forgiving our sins (Luke 23:34), while hanging, dying, on the cross for the sins of the world (1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:2). Ryrie, author of Basic Theology, refers to the “likeness” of man to mean that Christ was very much on the outside like all men, yet completely different on the inside; his deity separating him from others as the God-man. His humanity being the component that allowed him to lay down his life in obedience to God the Father. CHRIST IS THE OBEDIENT SON “After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians …show more content…
His name is the name above all others (Hebrews 1:4). Obedience is the key to a beautiful and meaningful relationship with our Father (Exodus 19:5, Ephesians 6:1-3, Revelation 14:12); Christ has been a most excellent example for us to pattern our lives after (John 14:15, Luke 11:28). CHRIST IS THE ONE TO WHOM ALL WILL BOW “so that at the name of Jesus [a]EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11 Just as Christ was submissive to his Father, just as the world will be to Christ on the day they bow in submission to his as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Romans 14:11, Revelation 19:16). His obedience became our righteousness, his death became for us life, his exaltation will be for us a wonderful, eternal union with God in