Posted on 03/21/2017 9:16:13 AM PDT by metmom
But emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7).
As part of His humble descent from Heaven to earth, Jesus set aside the exercise of His divine privileges.
The next step in Jesus pattern of humility as He came to earth and lived among mankind was His emptying of Himself. But Scripture is clear that while on earth our Lord claimed to be God: He who has seen Me has seen the Father (John 14:9). At no time did He stop being God.
The Greek word for emptied gives us the theological term kenosis, the doctrine of Christs self-emptying. The kenosis basically reminds us of what we saw in yesterdays lesson: Jesus humble refusal to cling to His advantages and privileges in Heaven. The Son of God, who has a right to everything and is fully satisfied within Himself, voluntarily emptied Himself.
We have already noted that Jesus did not empty Himself of His deity, but He did lay aside certain prerogatives. For one thing, He gave up His heavenly glory. Thats why, in anticipation of His return to the Father, Christ prayed, Glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I ever had with Thee before the world was (John 17:5).
Jesus also relinquished His independent authority and completely submitted Himself to the Fathers will: Not as I will, but as Thou wilt (Matt. 26:39).
During His time on earth, Christ also voluntarily limited the use and display of His divine attributes. One good illustration of this concerned His omniscience, His knowledge of all things. In teaching about the end-times and His second coming, Jesus said, But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone (Matt. 24:36).
Jesus self-emptying demonstrates a wonderful aspect of the gospel. Unlike man-centered, works-oriented religions, the biblical gospel has Gods Son willingly yielding His privileges to sacrifice Himself for sinners like us.
Suggestions for Prayer
Pray that you would become more appreciative of the sacrificial humility Jesus Christ exercised on your behalf.
For Further Study
Scripture does not record a lot about Jesus boyhood. But the account we do have verifies His emptying. Read Luke 2:39-52. What does verse 47 imply about Jesus nature? How do verses 51-52 exemplify His emptying?
I later confessed that I had indeed used sarcasm. Seemed pretty light at the time, considering how harshly I was being treated?
Before or after (must have been after) you'd twisted things around, trying to make it appear you were entirely innocent -- but had been wronged. (oh boo-hoo)
That's the part that irritated me. The game playing -- which you're still doing!
Go sit on the can some more, Sits On Can.
What did I twist around? I was doing my best to keep things civil. I asked a simple thing, show me something in the scriptures that voided the ages given for Mary and Joseph in the gospels I listed. Even now, no one has been able to provide that.
Sorry, but I honestly don't see where I've twisted a thing. If I've wronged someone, it was inadvertently, or in the heat of argument. For that I do apologize if I did that. My main objective was to remain civil and respectful, and did so, IMO, other than the bit of sarcasm I used in reference to the book of Jasher comments.
Me thinks that you abandoned civility when you started posting this images.
The topic of the thread is a good one and I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and presume that you did not intend to hijack the thread. However, I have no desire to see this thread locked or pullled for childish behavior, which constant posting of those images qualifies as.
If you feel so strongly that those extra Biblical texts are worthy of serious consideration, start your own thread to address them. That would be a better place to discuss the issue.
And you’ve told us several times already that you are done with this thread.
And you keep coming back instead of just ignoring any further posts to you. You CAN do that you know. It just takes a little self-control.
Goodbye already.
29 Then God said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the groundeverything that has the breath of life in itI give every green plant for food. And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morningthe sixth day.
...or sanctuary...
The Lord spoke to ME; with STARTLING precision; where to find them thar Golden Plates; too!
I guess what you SAY and what you DO are totally different.
Oh well...
I guess some GENIUS decided to play differently with others...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.