Made Himself Nothing: The Joy of Empty Hands – Shine Like Stars – Week 3, Day 6

TODAY'S TREASURE

…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. 

Philippians 2:7 (NIV)

Transcript

Shine Like Stars 

Made Himself Nothing: The Joy of Empty Hands

Sharon W. Betters

Today’s Treasure

…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. 

Philippians 2:7 (NIV)

What does it mean that Jesus “made Himself nothing”? Philippians 2:7 reveals that true joy is found not in grasping but in surrender, learning to live with open hands before God.

When Life Empties You

There is a phrase in Philippians 2 that can sound almost frightening if we don’t understand it: “made himself nothing” (Philippians 2:7). Some translations say “emptied himself.” If you’ve lived long enough, you know there are seasons when life empties you — loss, disappointment, caregiving, betrayal, a body that doesn’t cooperate, dreams that don’t come true, inability to do what gives you joy, loss of friends. You wake up and think, Lord, I have nothing left.

Christ Chose to Empty Himself

But Paul is not describing Jesus being emptied by circumstance. He is describing Jesus emptying Himself by choice. This is not helplessness, this is love.

Philippians 2:6–7 tells us Christ was truly God, yet He did not cling to His rights. He “made himself nothing,” not by ceasing to be God, but by taking “the very nature of a servant”:

"…who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

The Depth of Christ’s Humility

The eternal Son stepped into human weakness. Let’s not skip over this declaration. Jesus lived in the perfect world, no pain, sorrow, grief, conflict, broken relationships, loneliness, sickness, disappointments, or horror. Imagine your perfect world and then multiply it by infinity! Jesus remained God but took on the role of a servant. He entered our limitations. He got tired. He wept and was misunderstood. He was rejected. And in all of it, He served. Oh friends, we can only imagine — right?

What Are We Grasping?

Why does Paul bring this up? Because unity cannot survive in a church, family, marriage, or friendships where everyone is clutching their “position.” What are we grasping? Titles. Reputation. Preference. Control. The right to be catered to. The right to be noticed.

And in the middle of it all, Paul says to look at Jesus.

The Servant Heart of Christ

The Son of God washed feet (John 13:3–5). He touched lepers (Mark 1:40–42). He welcomed children (Mark 10:13–16). He ate with sinners (Luke 5:29–32). He moved toward the messy people — people like us. He is teaching us how to serve others as a reflection of His love.

Sometimes we think joy comes from protecting ourselves, especially our time, comfort, and treasure. But the joy of Jesus was found in giving Himself away. Hebrews tells us He endured the cross “for the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). Not because the cross was pleasant but because He saw what His sacrifice would accomplish: redemption and a people brought home to God.

When God Uses Your Weakness

So what does this mean for women walking by faith in hard places?

At the end of August last year, I broke my right femur and left ankle as a result of a bizarre fall. Our daughter insisted I move in with her to recover from the non-weight-bearing period on either leg. Not only did my legs need to heal, but my brain also seemed to have shut down. I was weary and could not think clearly for weeks. I needed help for the smallest of tasks — I don’t do well with depending on others — yet when I started to apologize to my daughter for needing her for such hard things, she stopped me and said, “That is the last time you will say those words. Caring for you is a privilege. Do not apologize again.” I admit to fear of the future. Would I be able to walk again? How long would it take? Would this fall affect my ability to enjoy our grandchildren, especially our little great-grands? How limited would life be? What about my husband, who had his own physical limitations? What would life look like? Nights, especially, were long as sleep eluded me. God often prepares us for these seasons. My default was to turn to Scripture and prayer. 

Slowly, I began to see purpose in the pain. Chuck and I were living in the middle of our daughter’s family, our grandchildren popping in and out of my bedroom. I enjoyed long conversations with our daughter, who treated me like royalty. Our great-granddaughter helped her grandmother, our daughter, take care of me, telling me to let her know whatever I needed, and she would take care of it. Perhaps best of all was when our grandson said, “Grammy, I am really sad you are going through this, but I am really glad for me. Because I am getting time with Granddad and you, I would never have had. Would you be willing to do a Bible study with me while you are here?”

God granted me the privilege of suffering — not because of persecution — but with eternity in view for my family. He was doing so much more than I knew.

I learned in the middle of pain and anxiety about all that I could not control. When you are emptied, you are not useless, you are being invited to embrace the privilege of learning to show your loved ones, Jesus. The Lord can use a woman who feels spent — if she brings her emptiness to Him rather than hiding it behind a polished smile. “My grace is sufficient for you,” He says, “for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

A Necessary Clarification

I am always sensitive to the many different circumstances God’s people experience, especially women who may be in abusive relationships. Please hear me. This kind of emptying is not self-hatred. It is not allowing others to sin against you without seeking help. It is not pretending pain doesn’t exist. It is simply this: choosing, by grace, not to cling to self as your savior. If you are in an abusive relationship, don’t wait to seek help.

When you stop grasping, you start receiving. You receive the comfort of Christ and His strength. You receive the privilege of serving without needing applause. You receive the privilege of witnessing how joy begins to grow in the most unlikely soil.

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT 

• Ask: Where am I grasping today: control, recognition, comfort, being right? Surrender it.
• Serve in one quiet way that no one may notice. Do it “as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

• When you feel empty, pray 2 Corinthians 12:9 aloud: But he said to me… 

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Jesus, who did not grasp but gave. Forgive me for clutching what cannot save me. Teach me the joy of empty hands — hands open to love, open to serve, open to receive Your grace. Strengthen me today by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.