How Christ Emptied Himself by H. A. St. John

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 5, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 10.

How Christ Emptied Himself

By H. A. St. John

WHEN Jesus came to this world, He completely emptied Himself of Himself. From the manger to the cross, His own will was entirely swallowed up in His Father’s will. He said He could do nothing of Himself. “Thy will, not Mine, be done,” was His constant attitude toward His Father, and He pleased His Father in all things. “Christ is God’s,” says the apostle. 1 Cor. 3:23.

Christ ever recognized His Father’s presence and ownership. When but a twelve-year-old boy, He said, “Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49. He said that He was Jesus Christ, whom the Father had sent. John 17:3. He said the doctrines He taught were the doctrines of His Father who sent Him. John 7:16. Even the words that He spoke, He said were given Him by the Father. John 17:8. And He gave the Father credit for all His wonderful works.

In the psalms (Ps. 40:7, 8) Jesus is represented as saying, “I come . . . to do Thy will, O My God;” and the Father’s law was written in His heart.

In all these things we should be like Him. Then we may finish our work as He did (John 17:4), and be glorified with Him. H. A. ST. JOHN.