Thirty Days of Jesus Repeat: Day 19, Jesus Emptied Himself

By Elizabeth Prata

Barnes' Notes explains the 'emptying'

The word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, except in the passage before us. The essential idea is that of bringing to emptiness, vanity, or nothingness; and, hence, it is applied to a case where one lays aside his rank and dignity, and becomes in respect to that as nothing; that is, he assumes a more humble rank and station.
In regard to its meaning here, we may remark: 

(1) that it cannot mean that he literally divested himself of his divine nature and perfections, for that was impossible. He could not cease to be omnipotent, and omnipresent, and most holy, and true, and good.

(2) it is conceivable that he might have laid aside, for a time, the symbols or the manifestation of his glory, or that the outward expressions of his majesty in heaven might have been withdrawn. It is conceivable for a divine being to intermit the exercise of his almighty power, since it cannot be supposed that God is always exerting his power to the utmost. And in like manner there might be for a time a laying aside or intermitting of these manifestations or symbols, which were expressive of the divine glory and perfections. Yet, 

(3) this supposes no change in the divine nature, or in the essential glory of the divine perfections. When the sun is obscured by a cloud, or in an eclipse, there is no real change of its glory, nor are his beams extinguished, nor is the sun himself in any measure changed. His luster is only for a time obscured. 

Further Reading

GotQuestions: What is the Kenosis?

GTY Study Guide: Christ humbled, Christ exalted


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Background and Introduction, Thirty Days of Jesus Series

Day 1: The Virgin shall conceive

Day 2: A shoot from Jesse

Day 3: God sent His Son in the fullness of time

Day 4: Marry her, she will bear a Son

Day 5: The Babe has arrived!

Day 6: The Glory of Jesus

Day 7: Magi seek the Child

Day 8: The Magi offer gifts & worship

Day 9: And the Child Grew

Day 10- the Boy Jesus at the Temple

Day 11: He was Obedient

Day 12: The Son!

Day 13: God is pleased with His Son

Day 14: Propitiation

Day 15: The gift of eternal life

Day 16: Two Kingdoms

Day 17, Jesus' Preeminence

Day 18, The Highest King