(REFLECTIONS ON Philippians 2:1-11)

Why did God highly exalt Jesus? Why is it that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow? Why is it that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father?

It is not because Jesus came as a king, and used fear to bring all powers trembling to their knees. But rather Jesus emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

That is why God highly exalted Jesus. And so we are to have the same attitude in ourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. We will also be glorified by God, but not because we take hold of glory, but because just as God highly exalted Jesus, we will also be highly exalted by God when we empty ourselves, take the form of a bond-servant, and humble ourselves in obedience to our Lord.

This is not something we earn, but what God will pour upon us because of our union with Christ.

Brothers and sisters, the path of discipleship is the path to be like Christ. Let us be clear that the path of Christ, is the path of the cross, but the path of the cross is the very path that will lead to the glory of the Lord in us. There is glory in Christ!

This path of discipleship will then lead to unity as a body of Christ in Him. There is no unity outside of Christ, and there is no unity in Christ if we don’t empty ourselves, take the form of a bond-servant, and walk humbly with our Lord.

There is glory in Christ! This glory is found in Him by the Holy Spirit, and that is the paradox of the cross. That is there is resurrection in the death, and glory in becoming like Christ as a bond-servant. This is Paul’s plea to the church and that is Scripture’s call to us today as well.

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Philippians 2