DOWN FROM HIS GLORY
Philippians 2:1-11
Conclusion
Jesus Christ came down from glory to provide redemption for the human race. Last week we saw in His attachment to the human race that He emptied Himself of the independent use of His attributes. He also took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man. Now in this pen pulpit we look at His abasement in death (verse 8) “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Appearance here means “outward appearance of something.” It refers to how others see you. When Christ became flesh, how did others regard Him? What did they find Him to be? A human being!
This statement punctuates the extent of the humiliation which He suffered. There was no mode of death known to man more terrible than that of crucifixion. It was borrowed from the Persians and perfected by the Romans. It was a painful and humiliating way to die. Crucifixion was generally reserved for slaves, robbers and assassins. Men were stripped of what dignity they had as their clothes were removed. Cicero wrote: “Let the very name of the cross be far away, not only from the body of the Roman citizen, but even from his thoughts, his eyes, his ears.”
It was also an accursed death. The Jews abhorred crucifixion. Anyone hanging on a tree was accursed by God
(Deut. 21:22, 23, Galatians 3:13).
In verse nine we see the exaltation of Jesus Christ by His Father. The Greek word for exalt means “to exalt above and beyond.” Jesus glorified the Father in His condescension to the cross. The Father glorifies Him in His exaltation to the throne.
• Jesus – the name of His humiliation
• Jesus Christ is Lord (v. 11) – The name above every name. This is more than just a title – it implies
SOVEREIGN LORDSHIP! A gold medal
doesn’t make a winner – it affirms a winner!
His resurrection and ascension doesn’t make Jesus Lord – it affirms His
Lordship!
Jesus is sovereign and sole ruler of the earth and of the
universe. However many kings and lords
there are and ever have been – Jesus is KING
OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!
Someday, all will bow and acknowledge Him for Who He is! Some will bow before Him as Savior. The rest will bow before Him as judge – BUT ALL WILL BOW!
And the end result is the Glory of God!
What is the impact on us today? The example of Jesus Christ is always before us. Do you want honor from the Father? “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
The way up is down!!! We are to concentrate more on the importance of others and less on our own importance. I am sure you can find innovative ways to do this! God bless.
Love to you all,