Here is the mystery of godliness wrapped in humility. The eternal Son, equal with the Father in glory, did not cling to His divine rights. He emptied Himself. Not by subtraction of His deity, but by the addition of humanity. He who spoke worlds into being took on a body that would grow tired and thirsty. He who held all things together allowed Himself to be held in the arms of a young mother. He who sat enthroned in heaven chose instead to kneel and wash feet.

Philippians 2:6–7 (BSB) says,
“Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

As having nothing.

He laid aside the visible glory of heaven. He let go of the worship of angels for the scorn of men. He walked as a servant, not a sovereign. Not because He ceased to be God, but because He chose to fully obey the Father’s will, even if that meant emptying Himself of privilege, status, and honor. He owned the cattle on a thousand hills—yet He had no place to lay His head. He had no wealth to offer, no inheritance to pass on in this world. At the cross, even His garments were stripped from Him. He died with nothing to His name.

And yet—He possessed everything. Because in that divine emptiness, the riches of grace were poured out. In the letting go, He made room for mercy. In the descent, He secured our exaltation. Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

This is not just theology—it is the shape of the Christian life. Paul writes these words not only to exalt Christ but to call the church into His likeness: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” We too are called to empty ourselves. Not of identity, but of pride. Not of worth, but of self-will. To live as having nothing, and yet in Christ, possessing all things (2 Corinthians 6:10).

Have you grasped what it means that Christ emptied Himself for you? Have you found joy in laying aside your own rights, knowing that He laid aside His for you first? This world counts value by what we hold onto. Heaven measures it by what we surrender.

And Christ surrendered all—as having nothing—so that we might gain everything in Him.

Cross References:
2 Corinthians 6:10 – “as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 – “…though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor…”
John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us…”