Being Emptied Out

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself of [all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Phil. 2:5-8, AMP

It is so amazing to think of how Jesus humbled Himself, the Wiest Translation says “He emptied Himself out” of all the qualities that made Him equal with God, in order to become a human being, experience everything the way we do and then offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, in order to redeem us and bring us back into right relationship with God, the Father.

Emptying Himself out of the qualities that made Him equal with God meant that He laid aside His:

Omnipresence – The ability to be everywhere present at once. When Jesus became a human being, He limited Himself to a human body.

Omniscience – The ability to be all-knowing. The Bible tells us that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and with man (Luke 2:52).

Omnipotence – The ability to be all-powerful. In John 5:19, Jesus said: The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (NIV).

As a human being, but still the sinless and perfect Son of God, He laid aside these abilities and depended completely upon the Father to teach Him, guide Him and empower Him to do the miracles, signs and wonders He did while on the earth. He spent a lot of time in prayer and fasting. In limiting Himself to become a human being, the Bible says He experienced every type of temptation that we do and was yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Hebrews, chapter two says:

So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins. For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. Hebrews 2:17-18 AMP

This past year has been a time of being emptied out for my husband and I. It has been one of the hardest years of our lives. But, these scriptures remind us that Jesus has gone through every thing we have and so much more. He understands everything we go through and is always available to comfort, strengthen and encourage us and give us peace. Some things have begun to resolve themselves and be restored and we look forward to a better year in 2025. God bless you all and have a Happy New Year.

In Christ ~ Kelly Rowe