WHAT CHILD IS THIS: Intentionally Vulnerable 2

Many believe that Jesus was able to be JESUS and do JESUS things because He was JESUS.  In reality, He emptied himself of all deistic privilege, power and protection, becoming vulnerable in every way to the challenges humanity faces.


Philippians 2:6–7 (NLT) Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. 

  • (MSG) he set aside the privileges of deity 

  • (ESV) but emptied himself

  • (NIV) he made himself nothing

  • (NKJV) made Himself of no reputation

Jesus Was Vulnerable…

  • Survival - Jesus had at least a 35% chance of dying by the time he was 24 years old: Miscarriage rate reported by Mayo Clinic is close to 20%. Global death rates for children five and under in 1990 were close to 10%. Death rates for ages 5-24 was nearly 5%.

  • Birthplace/Birth-Setting Dangers 

  • Family Challenges 

  • Daily Challenges

  • Accidents/Trauma

  • Temptation

  • Crime

  • Satanic Attack

Why Was Jesus So Intentionally Vulnerable?

1.Payment For Sin Required It 

2.To Compassionately Help You From His Experience.

  • “But you don’t understand what I am going through” is something you will never be able to say to Jesus.

    • Hebrews 2:18 (ESV) For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

    • Hebrews 4:15–16 (ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.


3.To Show You How To Be And Do.

    • Jesus was able to be JESUS and do JESUS things, not to prove that He was JESUS.... but because he wanted to show you how to BE and DO the exact same things.

    • 1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

    • Partnership with the Father & Spirit - Luke 3:22 (ESV) and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”


4.To Demonstrate Antifragile Living  

Fragility recognizes the reality of adversity and the potential impact 

Adversity Is All Around Us - 3 Responses

  • fragile: broken & ineffective

  • survivor: significantly impacted but ongoing

  • antifragile: strengthened by adversity 

Jesus faced adversity and yet it made him stronger:

  • Luke 2:40 (ESV) And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

  • Luke 2:52 (ESV) And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

    • Prokopto - to cut or strike forward

We long for adversity in life to be removed, but adversity is the thing that makes us strong.

The Biosphere 2 project in Oracle Arizona was created as a research tool for scientists to study Earth’s living systems, and it allowed scientists to play with farming and innovation in a way that didn’t harm the planet. One of the most profound discoveries made by the scientists had nothing to do with a cure for some new disease or a new way of farming land. Rather, the discovery had to do with the wind’s role in a tree’s life. The trees inside Biosphere 2 grew rapidly, more rapidly than they did outside of the dome, but they also fell over before reaching maturation. After looking at the root systems and outer layers of bark, the scientists came to realize that a lack of wind in Biosphere 2 caused a deficiency of stress wood. Stress wood helps a tree position itself for optimal sun absorption and it also helps trees grow more solidly. Without stress wood, a tree can grow quickly, but it cannot support itself fully. It cannot withstand normal wear and tear, and survive. In other words, the trees needed stress in order to thrive in the long run.


Hebrews 11:32–34 (ESV) And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—  who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Leslie ParrishSteve ParrishComment