Kenotic love (kenosis) is self-emptying love. Jesus did it...
Every time I read this passage of scripture, I cannot help but ask the question: What more shall I do to serve my Lord? I am constantly overwhelmed by the idea of kenosis (self-emptying). This was the mindset that Jesus had, the same mind that should be in every believer.Paul articulates this narrative of incarnation in the same manner as John's narrative of the Word becoming flesh, dwelling among us, so that we could behold his glory (John: 1:14). God the Son, out of love for humanity, dwelt among us, emptied Godself for us to be saved, redeemed and liberated. The Son shunned royalty and divine nature to take human nature - humility, in order to accomplish God's plan for humanity -- salvation/liberation. God, thus made it possible for humanity to learn right attitude, right behaviour, and right mentality, as we emulate Jesus Christ. This love was lavished on all without discrimination that all should enjoy without fear and prejudice.
This kenotic love is a call for us to love one another the same way Jesus loved us. We are called to share the same DNA as Jesus, be able to forgive, to love, to express sympathy and be ready to put our lives at stake so that others may live. The Rev Dr Cowan, preaching at the closing of the UPCSA 20th anniversary celebrations said, "Live simply so that other may simply live".
The self-emptying was done in space and time. God had been concerned about the situation that humanity was in. God had been concerned about hamartiological (sin) manifestations, as human beings were effaced and abused. This happened in all the dimensions of life - spiritual, political social, economic and others. God was concerned about skewed relations among human beings, as some used others to achieve their own ends.
Christians ought to conduct social analysis from time to time and empty themselves, so that the "emptied" of society - the nonpersons may realise their human dignity and live as free beings. Salvation is about all of humanity being liberated. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here" (NIV). Through self-emptying, newness of life is realised. Love divine - love excelling is experienced fully when we are prepared to empty ourselves (including sharing of resources) for the impoverished and marginalised to feel fully human. Let us be grafted in Christ, so that we are emptied of the old. The new world order is a necessity -- a reconciled community. What more shall I do to serve my Lord?
| Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 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 confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians2:5-11 ) |
(Lungile Mpetsheni is the General Secretary of the UPCSA. A husband to Thandiswa, a father and a grandfather. Saved by the grace of God.)
