Bow The Knee

Philippians 2:5-11

Our passage this morning is a very familiar one to many, describing the sacrifice that Jesus made for love us, to procure our salvation. Let’s look at several important truths about the Lord Jesus that are put forth in this passage.

The first is that Jesus always existed with God, and is equal to God because He is God (vs. 6).  He is not a created being.  Rather He is the Creator. John proclaims that in his Gospel (John 1:1-4).  Paul also states this in another Epistle (Colossians 1:15-19). Another truth contained in this passage is that even though Jesus is God, the Second Person of the Trinity, He willingly became a man in order to fulfill God’s plan of salvation for all people (vs. 7-8). Jesus didn’t just look like a man, He was fully man, though remaining fully God.  The Book of Hebrews clearly states this in Hebrews 2:14, also in Verse 17, and in 4:15.   Jesus became a man so as to identify with our sins and thus was able to become the perfect sacrifice for those sins.

Jesus was fully God, but voluntarily laid aside His divine rights and privileges out of love for the Father (vs. 8).  Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we wouldn’t have to face eternal death. Because of His obedience, Jesus was glorified, and God raised Him to His original position at the Father’s right hand, where He reigns forever (vs. 9-11).

As we contemplate these truths contained in today’s Scripture passage, it is amazing to wonder that Jesus would voluntarily become a man, and leave all of the glory of heaven that was His, all for sinful man.  This was more than just a type of “Prince and the Pauper” switch, as both characters in that famous story were humans, though one the heir to the throne, and the other a poor boy. There are cases where a wealthy person goes to live in poor conditions to help the people there.  How many people, though, would be willing to become another type of creature in order to save them? Would you become an insect in order to save them? The God of the universe stepped off of His heavenly throne in order to become a man, with all of their weaknesses and frailties, in order to save us.  He chose to do this out of love for us.

Not only did Jesus willingly become a man in order to save us, He went through the hurtful rejection from His own people, betrayal, brutal scourging, and then the torturous death of crucifixion, all for love of us (vs. 8).   This wasn’t a quick death like in front of a firing squad, it was torture that lasted many hours hanging alive on a cross until one died, usually of asphyxiation, bleeding and exposure.

Because of Jesus’ obedience and willingness to do this, God has exalted Him (vs. 9-11).  He is now seated on the throne of heaven, at God’s right hand. God has given Jesus a Name that is above every name, and a Name that everyone will one day bow to.  We certainly do not see that today. The Name of Jesus is mocked and blasphemed everywhere. Not all that long ago, even when I was younger, one would never have heard the Name of Jesus openly reviled on TV shows and in the media.  Now it is commonplace. There is even a growing ice cream chain that mocks His name and iconography on their products and in their advertisements. Businessmen, the media, and entertainment personalities scorn Jesus, laughing while doing so.

One day, though, everyone will bow their knee to Jesus!  There will be no exception. From the greatest emperor who ever ruled, the biggest billionaire on Wall Street, and the biggest rock or movie star, they will all bow to Jesus. Everyone who has ever lived will bow the knee and call Jesus Lord, that He, alone, has rule and authority over everything.

We should not wait for that day to submit ourselves under Jesus’ Lordship, where we will be forced to.  Since He loved us enough to come to earth and die for us, why not willingly give our lives into His loving hands?