Christ the Exalted

Our final look at the life and work of Christ in the few verses the Apostle Paul spoke, through his letter to the Philippians will focus on Jesus the Exalted. Paul wrote these words in Philippians 2:5-11, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

Because of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf God has exalted Him.  Not only are we told of this great exaltation of Christ by Paul in our text in Philippians, but many other times throughout the New Testament.  John tells us that Jesus is above all in his Gospel. "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth He who comes from heaven is above all.”  (John 3:31)  In Peter’s great sermon on the Day of Pentecost he tells those there that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)  Both Peter and the Apostles testified to the glory of Jesus in Acts 5:29-32.  But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.  "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross.  "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."  Paul sums it up best from our text in Philippians 2. “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Every knee will bow, because God exalted Christ.

Jesus came down from Heaven to earth in fleshly form to be sacrificed for all man’s sins; therefore, God highly exalted Him.  Jesus sits at the right Hand of God, not only to intercede for us with the Father, but to Judge us.  He is qualified as one who suffered in all things as we did.  J.H. Jowett said, “Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.”  Jesus’ ministry cost Him His life and cost God His only Son.  A great price was paid for this marvelous and sin shattering ministry.  Jesus’ blessing came to us through His bleeding for us.  Thanks be to God for this sacrifice.

God Bless!