Our scripture this morning is Philippians 2:5-11.
You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross! As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will 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.
Paul had been a Pharisee and an aggressive persecutor of the early church. Jesus changed his life and Paul went on to bring the same fire to his discipleship. In this passage he calls us to remember the divine sacrifice Jesus made to come to be one of us, and the human sacrifice He suffered in our place.
Paul speaks an eternal truth here: “at the name of Jesus every knee will 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”. After His resurrection Jesus tells us “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). God’s plan of salvation has always been in place, Jesus came to show us the way.
Jesus was willing to give it all up that we might be saved. What are we willing to give up for Him? He taught us that loving God and each other was the starting point, letting go of the self centered lives we were leading, and going to share God’s love everywhere.
Gracious God, we are ashamed of the way we behave and we are amazed at Your love for us, willing to wash us clean and take us back. Bless us to be Your redeemed children and send us to tell the Good News to all the world. Amen.
