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| |  | Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m·agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.®
Do you know someone
who might benefit
from our weekly email?
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Jesus on spiritual formation [2]... |
You might find it surprising; in fact, you might push back on it.
Hard.
But spiritual formation was essential to Jesus. Not just as a component of his teaching, but essential to life itself in the days of his flesh. Although we resist the notion that Jesus required spiritual formation, scripture suggests otherwise in at least three remarkable passages:
One, those who knew Jesus as a youth, reported to his biographer Luke that Jesus, from an early age, "kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). Had Jesus maintained his divine power and authority when he walked among men, it would make no sense to suggest he "kept increasing in wisdom and stature."
Two, the anonymous author of Hebrews declared that Jesus, "had to be made like His brethren in all things," and, later observed, "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 2:17; 5:8). To learn obedience--that is, to learn to listen--is itself the very substance of spiritual formation.
Three, the apostle Paul quoted a first-century hymn to describe the length to which Jesus assumed the nature of man in need of formation: "...though he was in the form [Greek, morphe] of God, [Jesus] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped [that is, a thing to which he must selfishly cling], but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant [again, morphe; meaning Jesus assumed human nature as fully as he had known divine nature], being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7).
Consequently, Jesus, whose origins are from "long ago, from the days of eternity" (Micah 5:2), became susceptible to--indeed tempted by--the mortal pangs of hunger (Matthew 4:2; 21:18), thirst (John 19:28), and fatigue (John 4:6). Things wholly unfamiliar to the holy. Jesus, who "upholds all things by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3), as a man, was himself empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38; cf. John 3:34; Matthew 12:28). Only afterward did he perform miracles; only afterward were his words and works ascribed to "the Father abiding in me" (John 14:10).
And yet, "though he made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men"--though his nature fundamentally changed--Jesus maintained and was conscious of his personal identity by the "eternal spirit," his spirit, that dwelt within (Hebrews 9:14).
What are your thoughts around Jesus incarnation? About his nature "in the days of his flesh"? Are you comfortable--or not so much--discussing Jesus' need for spiritual formation?
According to The Message, Jesus "had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all."
What are you clinging to and for what purpose?
Is it really worth all that?
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Michael Fox
m·agine!
530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241 |
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m·agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio·files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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