◄ What Does Philippians 2:9 Mean? ►

Divinity's Son-of-God became humanity's Son-of-Man. He set aside eternity's glories, to be clothed in humility, in poverty, in suffering, and in death. It is for this very reason that God, in His wisdom and justice, has raised Him up and honoured Him above all that is in the heaven heights, the earth beneath, and the waters under the earth, whether it be men or angels, spiritual principalities or earthly thrones.

Jesus is the very essence of God, Who went from being seated in the highest place of honour and power, to the very lowest possible position - death on a Cross. Being in the form of God from eternity past, He willingly took upon Himself the form of a man, and was born into the very race He Himself had created. He chose to honour the will of the Father and drink His cup of suffering and humiliation. His desire was to fulfil His Father's will and redeem the very race that rebelled against Him - by shedding His own blood for us and dying on the Cross, in our place.

But Jesus did not lie in the grave. His sinless life was a deathless life, for only the soul that sins shall die... and Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. Jesus was not deserving of death, but chose to give His life willingly, as the ransom price for the sin of the world. The only payment God could accept in exchange for mankind's sin, was the sacrifice of a perfect, human life. Only Christ Jesus, the sinless Son, could fulfil the righteous requirements of God's Law.

Although the lifeless body of Christ was placed in the tomb, death could not hold Him, and He arose from the dead - never to die again. He was the eternal Son and the sinless Man and death had no hold on HIM and He rose again to LIFE. But just as His death secured the full and final payment for the SIN of the whole world, so His resurrection secured LIFE for all who believe... Eternal life. Abundant Life. Immortal Life. The imputed Life of Christ within. 

For this reason, Jesus alone is to be highly exalted. He alone is to be worshipped and honoured, both in His humanity and in His deity. He alone is equal with God for He was in the beginning with God... because He IS God Almighty - the Lord of heaven and earth forever and ever, amen. Luke reminds us in Acts, that, "He Who came from heaven and became a man is the One whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Saviour, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins to all who believe."

Christ's sinless, human nature in union with His eternal, divine attributes, is infinitely superior to everything else, and He has been highly exalted by the Father, Who has placed all authority, might, majesty, dominion, and power, into His worthy hands. He is the Wonderful Counsellor and Prince of Peace. He is the King of Righteousness and His name shall be called, Jesus - SAVIOUR, for He shall save His people from their sins.

The simple, common, everyday name of 'Jesus' has thus become the name that is greater and more eminent than every other name that is named - for His name is to be the most excellent name that is named in heaven or earth, throughout time and into eternity. He is the unique Man, the incarnate Word of God, Who has secured for us the forgiveness of sin, life everlasting, an eternal inheritance.. and that which is over and above all that we could ask or imagine. He was made sin for us.. so that we, who deserve punishment, may be declared righteous and clothed in His own perfect purity.

How sweet that name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear, for His name combines the holy and eternal attributes of the Godhead with human perfection, and every single spiritual fruit that God requires from man. What music is the lovely name of Jesus in the ear of every sinner, saved by grace, for it calms all sorrow, heals each wound, and drives away all our fear.

The life of the Christian should reflect his Lord. The attitude of Jesus should be mirrored in the life of every believer, and yet... His was a life of deep pain and intense suffering. His was a life of humiliation, rejection, betrayal, and death. But His life of humiliation and death preceded His glorious resurrection and exaltation, and we too must share in His suffering, and die to self... if we are to live in newness of life and become a lovely reflection of the beautiful Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank You, Father, that all I need can be found in Jesus. I pray that I may decrease, and He may increase, in all I think and say and do, until Christ is formed in me, to Your praise and glory. Thank You that Christ is highly exalted and has been given the Name that is above every name. This I pray in the lovely name of JESUS - Son of God and Son of Man - AMEN.