Yesterday I saw a moving video and posted it on my facebook wall. It is the true story of two young brothers. The youngest has CP, and the parents were apparently told to institutionalize him. His prognosis at birth was that he would be bedridden and non-responsive. His big brother had a better idea, taking him along for the ride on kids races. Older brother's motivation was just to see little brother smile. And he did...a lot! When the media got ahold of this, it went all the way to Sports Illustrated as a cover story, and the brother's were named Sports Kids of the Year. Big brother's serving attitude was amazing. Essentially carrying the equivalent of his own weight in a cart behind the bicycle, big brother willingly came in last for his younger brother. Therefore, he was exalted, and younger brother too.
The apostle Paul reminded the Philippians of a similar story. Jesus, existing as God, left his lofty position to dwell among us as a man. Appearing as a human, he emptied himself and humbled himself in obedience to the will of the Father for our sakes. Now comes his "therefore":
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 confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus first appearance here on earth was as a servant. He came to seek and save the lost. He had no home, much less a palace. The "hosannas" he did hear were short-lived, followed within days by intense cries of "crucify him!" His life and ministry, apparent failures, lead to a martyr's death. And then, in the throws of blinding grief, a discovery--the empty tomb.
Beyond the triumphant resurrection from the grave, the best is yet to come. As Paul puts it, the end of the story will be the worship of everyone on earth, in heaven and "under the earth." For our purposes, this "vision" should bring us great hope and joy.
But there is another message here. The passage is so familiar we might miss it. There is only One exalted above every name. There is only one Name to which every knee will bow. There is only one Lord.
Some day, every knee will bow to him. For those of us who know him, why wait? Give him the worship he deserves. Move off the throne of your heart any and all (things, concerns and people) who compete with him there. There is room for only One. Wash his feet with your tears...he will turn them to peace and never-ending joy!
Then I turned and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne...In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Rev. 5:11-12
The apostle Paul reminded the Philippians of a similar story. Jesus, existing as God, left his lofty position to dwell among us as a man. Appearing as a human, he emptied himself and humbled himself in obedience to the will of the Father for our sakes. Now comes his "therefore":
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 confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus first appearance here on earth was as a servant. He came to seek and save the lost. He had no home, much less a palace. The "hosannas" he did hear were short-lived, followed within days by intense cries of "crucify him!" His life and ministry, apparent failures, lead to a martyr's death. And then, in the throws of blinding grief, a discovery--the empty tomb.
Beyond the triumphant resurrection from the grave, the best is yet to come. As Paul puts it, the end of the story will be the worship of everyone on earth, in heaven and "under the earth." For our purposes, this "vision" should bring us great hope and joy.
But there is another message here. The passage is so familiar we might miss it. There is only One exalted above every name. There is only one Name to which every knee will bow. There is only one Lord.
Some day, every knee will bow to him. For those of us who know him, why wait? Give him the worship he deserves. Move off the throne of your heart any and all (things, concerns and people) who compete with him there. There is room for only One. Wash his feet with your tears...he will turn them to peace and never-ending joy!
Then I turned and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne...In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Rev. 5:11-12
