...we bow down...

“5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though He was in the form of God,    did not regard equality with God    as something to be exploited,

7 but emptied Himself,    taking the form of a slave,    being born in human likeness.    And being found in human form,

8  He humbled himself    and became obedient to the point of death —    even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God also highly exalted Him    and gave Him the name    that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus    every knee should bend,    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue should confess    that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11.

This is one of the most important and beloved passages in the entire Bible. It is a hymn, a psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and written by Paul. It is a Christological Hymn of praise, a hymn that praises Jesus Christ, the Messiah! It is unquestionably one of the most important passages in the Bible because it not only praises Christ, the Messiah, but it reveals such truths about who Jesus Christ is!

Paul invites us, at the outset of this hymn, to be like Christ Jesus, to have “the same mind” as Jesus, inasmuch as that is ever possible, even in the slightest way. Then Paul speaks of who, in fact, Jesus Christ is. Jesus came as a human being while still remaining God. Jesus was a human in the form of God, yet He behaved and lived — and was in fact — completely human. Jesus never exploited His being God while He lived on earth. He emptied Himself of such a desire, such a path with which to live His life here on earth. Instead, Jesus came to serve humanity. He came to wash our feet.

And such a way to be and to live was humbling for Jesus, humbling beyond our brightest imaginations! Jesus became a human being out of complete obedience to His Father in heaven. Such obedience to His father is the only explanation for His suffering and death on the cross. Jesus came to do the will of His Father!

The only explanation for why Jesus willingly died on the Cross is because of Jesus Christ’s obedience to His father. The obedient death of Jesus Christ became God’s Kingly Coronation of His Son of the Cross. The cross, then, becomes the throne on which Jesus became King! God “highly exalted” His Son, Jesus Christ, crowning Him King with the name JESUS. And as King, all of us human beings — on earth and in heaven — genuflect in the presence of Jesus, and we all proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord of Heaven and Lord of earth!

We recognize in Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection, the complete and total glory of God, our Father in Heaven!

Take this most beautiful Hymn of Praise to prayer today. And when you are finished, give God thanks!

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ!

We bow down before You, we genuflect in Your presence this day,

out of complete and utter humility and gratitude.

To You we give our lives and all our praises today.

Thank You for giving us life. Thank You for dying on the Cross.

May Your death and resurrection remain forever

our salvation — Your merciful love.

We love You beyond words. We thank You in utter humility.

Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen!