Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV) “5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Jesus emptied Himself, accepted the limitations of being a human being. Christ, though God Himself, was born as a baby in Bethlehem. He became human without ceasing to be divine. Notice the Philippians wording again: Jesus emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant.
Jesus was the eternal God who became human.
John 1:1 (NIV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14 (NIV) “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The glory of Jesus was hidden during His time on the earth – although it was revealed at certain times. The glory of God was such that no human could look at it and live.
Exodus 33:20 (NIV) “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
This glory that belongs to Jesus was hidden.
John 17:4-5 (NIV) “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
Jesus came to earth to serve His Father.
John 5:19 (NLT) “So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”
John 6:38 (KJV) “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
Christ emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant so that He could live for us, die for us, rise for us, and send the Holy Spirit to fill us.
Philippians 2:9–11 (NIV) “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ emptied Himself, to enable us a life filled with His Glory.