Monday 31 December 2007

Background

These verses make up one of the most profound passages ofScripture and were one of the earliest hymns or statements of faithof the Church. At first glance they seem to be about Jesus' mind orattitude but they are actually more to do with ours (v.5).

'He emptied himself' (v.7)
Of what? His knowledge? His deity? Theologians have been arguingabout that for centuries! Some have found it helpful to think ofJesus' nature as not being lessened but concealed. Charles Wesleywrote of one who "emptied himself of all but love" (verse 3 of thehymn 'And can it be'). But whatever it was it was his choice! Andour choice is either to cling on to what is "rightly" ours or to bestripped of all such privilege or prestige for his sake.

'He humbled himself' (v.8)
Whatever else 'emptying' meant for Jesus, it was not a concept fordiscussion but rather a way of life (and death).

'God also exalted him and gave him the name that isabove every name' (v.9)
So the one who said, 'Whoever humbles himself will beexalted' (Luke 18:14)is himself raised to life and raised to heaven. And his name,common enough in itself, is raised and placed alongside that of theFather and given to us to revere and worship, to hold to, and torejoice in forever.

To Ponder

Do concepts like humility or self-emptying meananything today? Do they need re-interpreting and if so how?

"At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, inheaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confessthat Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"(v.10-11). How would you relate these verses in a multi-faithcontext?

What do you think might be in Christ's 'mind' foryou, the Church or the world in 2008?