Jump Start # 304

Philippians 2:6-7 “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

  In our verses today, Paul helps us to understand Jesus. Just who is Jesus? Some claim He is made up. Others, even in the first century, saw Him as a prophet or rabbi, and nothing more. He was more than that, He was the Son of God. He was the chosen Messiah who came from Heaven and dwelled among man and offered His life for our sins. I think of the hymn we sing, “Do you know my Jesus?”

  Paul tells us that Jesus existed in the form of God. The apostle John begins his gospel by declaring that Jesus was with God and that Jesus is God. Paul further states that Jesus was equal with God. Equal, the same as, no difference. Now all of that gets fuzzy in our brains sometimes. How can Jesus be equal if He is called “the son of God?” I have three sons and they are not equal to me. I’m older than they are. There was a time when they weren’t and I was. When we think of Jesus that way, things get crossed up in our faith.

  Jesus has always been. There never was a time when He wasn’t. In Colossians we’re told that Jesus “made all things” and “is before all things.” We tend to limit Jesus to the thirty some years He was on earth. Not only did He exist forever, but He is equal with the Father. All-knowing? Yes. All-powerful? Absolutely. Everywhere? Yes. Eternal? Of course. All that the Father is, Jesus is.

  How then is Jesus “God’s son?” Paul in this Philippian passage goes on to say that Jesus “emptied Himself,” “took on the form of a bond servant,” “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.” Jesus subjected Himself to Jehovah. He put Himself in the role of a son, an obedient son. Jesus said, I came not to do my will, but the one who sent me. Remember the famous John 3:16 passage? “God so loved the world that He GAVE…” Jesus said I speak not my words but the words of Him who sent me. In the garden, before the cross, Jesus prayed, “Let this cup pass from Me…not my will, but Thy will be done.” Jesus was obedient to the Father as a son is to his dad. In 1 Corinthians Paul said that the God is the head of Christ.

  It is important to understand just who Jesus is. We see in Jesus the example of obedience and respect. He didn’t rebel. He didn’t fight the role He was to play. He didn’t complain. He didn’t come to earth kicking and screaming and saying, “Why me?” Not Jesus. What a wonderful example for us. None of us can say that we are equal with God, yet how many of us fuss and throw a fit about what God says in the Bible? May we learn from Jesus.

• We learn from Jesus that it is not our will but the will of God that is most important. In the call to be disciples Jesus said a person must first, “Deny self.” Self gets in the way of things. Have you noticed that? It generally comes out in expressions such as, “I don’t feel like it…” or, “I don’t want to.” That’s self rising up. Jesus said, “deny self.” What is it that God wants? That’s what we’re after.

• We learn from Jesus that God wants us to obey Him. He has said already what He desires from us, it is up to us to obey. Have you heard the old expression, “Close don’t count except in horseshoes and hand grenades?” Close doesn’t count. Obey God. Do what God says. Do it His way. Modern Christianity has gotten away from that. It excels in being cutting edge, not obedient to God. Different and unique is in and faithful to the word is out. Jesus was faithful. He was obedient. We need to be as well.

• These two aspects please God. God spoke from the Heavens and declared that Jesus was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. Making God happy. How do you that? By putting God first and obeying Him…that’s how.

  Start today. Make God’s way your way!

Roger