“Jesus made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He HUMBLED HIMSELF by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the HIGHEST PLACE and gave Him the name that is ABOVE EVERY NAME, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:7-11)
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah quotes God saying, “By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that WILL NOT BE REVOKED (shûb: turned back): Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.” (Isa. 45:23)
Paul uses Christ as the ultimate example of humility that we should follow. It was Christ who, being in the very form of God, emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant. In doing so, He became obedient to God to the point of death. This He did for THE SAKE OF YOU AND ME. It is important to note the overarching theme of this passage—the humiliation and exaltation of Christ. Christ first humbles Himself and then submits Himself in COMPLETE OBEDIENCE to the Father. Afterwards, the Father highly exalts Him above all things.
A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE FOR US TO FOLLOW…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham