The Name Which is Above Every Name
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Philippians 2:1-11
1. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2. complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 4. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6. who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7. but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I really could have just started with verse 6, as verses 6-11 have absolutely captivated me this morning – actually it began last night! I know I’ve shared these with you before, but I am seeing this scripture in a new light this morning, and I hope you’ll indulge me! The words are so powerful, and Paul is, of course, passionate and ardent in his desire to explain the deep and powerful truth these words convey.
Paul begins this chapter encouraging a “perfect unity.” He urges the Christian Philippians to be of the same mind, in full accord, having the same love, look to the interest of others and consider your own needs last—because that is the example Christ set. It is not possible for man to achieve this perfection, but we are to attempt it, endeavor to instill this truth in each other with whom we are in community, and we are to always look to the example of Christ, lest we begin to think “it’s too much to ask.”
Paul points out that Jesus is fully God and so is worthy of the same status and privileges that inevitably flow from being God. And yet he didn’t forcibly keep the glory he had when he was in heaven with the Father. He gave up that high position and made himself nothing—for us. Christ emptied himself, not of his deity and its prerogatives, but laid aside his glory and high position by submitting to the humiliation of becoming man. Jesus demonstrated perfect servanthood by his absolute submission to God’s will.
He exemplifies humility in his obedience even unto death on a cross. Crucifixion was the most degrading form of execution, reserved for the vilest of criminals. He made himself “nothing” so that we could have everything. And yet the one creature in all existence who most deserved honor, respect, worship and praise, accepted humiliation, torture, shame and physical death so that we could achieve eternal life—with him and his father—in our resurrection bodies!
It is impossible to encompass and explain the magnitude of the sacrifice. To give up all the privileges of heaven! It’s just incomprehensible! Unimaginable! We cannot, with our limited human understanding, ever know what Christ gave up – and gave us. When we get to heaven we’ll be able to look back and fully see and know the truth, but not now. That’s why we must glorify and worship him on bended knee here on earth! That’s why should strive for complete and perfect unity, as much as possible, and at all times. Because Jesus gave up so much more than we could ever imagine! And all he asks in return is our minds, our hearts, our souls, and our lives.
I hope you spend today confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, counting others better than yourself, and striving for the perfection Christ achieved on the cross.
Mary
