Philippians Christ Humility
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-10 (EHV)
Over the past few days, we have pondered the extent to which Christ humbled Himself by taking on human nature. If the story ended there, we might say it was an admirable or even impressive feat, yet a tragic tale. Fortunately, that is not the end of the story. For after Jesus’ ultimate descent into the depths of suffering under his Father’s wrath, He was raised from the dead, marking His sacrifice as satisfactory payment for our sins.
With His resurrection, Christ’s humiliation ended, and He was restored to His rightful position at God’s right hand. Now He reigns supreme. As King of all creation, the majesty that He is rightly due will be accorded to Him. Even those who treated Him scornfully, and even those who deny Him still will one day bow before Him and confess Him as Lord.
But now comes the greatest news of all. Because of Christ’s work on our behalf, we will never need to suffer the humiliation He experienced, a humiliation we cannot even fathom. And although we did not endure His humiliation, we will share in His exaltation. When Jesus returns to claim His children, we will reign with Him in eternal heavenly glory. “This saying is trustworthy: Indeed, if we have died with him, we will also live with him; If we endure, we will also reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:11-12a EHV)
Praise be to Jesus who humbled Himself to live the perfect human life that we could not. Praise be to Jesus who humbled Himself and suffered death and hell in our place. Praise be to Jesus who has freely granted us His victory so that we may share in His eternal glory!
Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own,
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him who died for thee
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Thro’ all eternity.
The Lutheran Hymnal 341: 1