Philippians: Whatever HappensSample

Our Example, Our Exalted

By Jimmy Purchase

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”—Philippians 2:9–11 (NIV)

Philippians 2:1–11 is the section of Scripture that has made the biggest impact on my life. I’ve read through this section countless times. Each time, I’m so stirred by the life and humility of Jesus! He was fully God, yet fully man. He was God, and still, as my favorite Advent hymn says, He would “come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end.” God Himself would choose to enter our world, taking the form of a servant.

Philippians 2:1–8 shows Christ as our example. We’re to have His mindset, one of servanthood, obedience, and humility. However, Philippians 2:9–11 shows that Jesus, while our example, is also God—fully divine and fully human. He has the name above all names—and all creation will bow at His name alone. He is both our example and our Lord. We seek to live like Him and fully surrender to Him.

If you’ve been around any of the worship services at Calvary, you may have heard our pastors use the phrase “the person and work of Jesus” in a sermon. You may have heard a worship leader say, “because of who Jesus is and what He’s done,” or something similar. That language points to the Christian’s amazement that Jesus, as fully man and fully God, chose to live a perfect life on our behalf and offered Himself as the One who would defeat sin and evil. Jesus is God the Son, exalted above all things.

As Christians, we don’t get to pick which part of Jesus to follow. Maybe you resonate with the teachings of Jesus but struggle to submit to Him as Lord over your life. You might read about how Jesus healed a blind man and say, “That’s amazing!” Or maybe you see how Jesus confronted the religious elite and think, “Wow, if only more people did that!” But as soon as Jesus demands that you submit your dating life to Him, you might push back and say, “Nah, I’m good.”

There are very few who would have problems with Jesus’ moral teachings. His kingdom principles point us to a way of living that makes the world better. The way of Jesus, however, is a call to come and die to yourself—in every way—and surrender it under His rule and reign. Jesus wants every part of you! Why? Because He is Lord.

Jesus is not just a moral example or a wise teacher with great information. He’s God, exalted with a name above all other names! This God would choose to come to us to serve, not to be served. In humility, He would lay down His life to death on a cross.

The way of Jesus is compelling and attractive but requires full surrender. It requires making Him Lord over every part of our lives. We must bow our lives to Him. We must live in light of who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. There can be no kingdom without the King.

Pause: Is Jesus Lord over every part of your life?

Practice: Think about the area(s)—faith, finances, leadership, relationships, thought life, etc.—you need to surrender to Jesus and pray for His help!

Pray: Jesus, forgive me for making ME the Lord of my life. Your name alone is the name above all other names. Help me move from being self-centered to being Christ-centered. I want to surrender everything to You. Have my __________. This is one area I can’t seem to handle on my own. I need You, and I give myself wholly to You. Amen.