And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, —Philippians 2:8-9
Our Fighter Verses passage this week continues Paul’s appeal to believers. Last week’s passage helps us to make the connection with Philippians 2:8-9,
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:5-7).
Keep in focus the context for this second part which points us back to the admonition: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
Last week, we memorized the beginning of the explanation of what it means to have the mind of Christ.
Jesus, our Lord and Savior, emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, born in the likeness of men,
"And being found in human form"—form, not shape, but with a body and nature of a man, born in the flesh, being tempted in every way as we are, yet perfectly righteous, never sinning.
"He humbled Himself by becoming obedient"—Christ’s humility and obedience is shown in His willingness to do His Father’s will at all times.
"obedient to the point of death"—The depth of Christ’s humility is displayed in His obedience even as it leads to His death. Jesus, the Creator of all things now willingly subjects Himself to death (Colossians 1:15-20).
"death on a cross"—Christ’s obedience never wavered. He willingly laid down His life. He was tempted even to the point of sweating great drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44), and tested with scourging, humiliation, mocking, and scorn. Christ, in obedience to His Father, and innocent of any sin, perfect in every way, died the death of a criminal, executed in the most torturous way devised by man, crucifixion.
Therefore, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, The glorious result of Christ’s humility is God’s exaltation and declaration that Jesus has accomplished all His will, bestowing on Him authority and the name by which we must be saved.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
For Reflection
When we become Christians, God’s Word teaches us the path of life in Christ. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to obey what we learn. In Luke 9:23, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. (When a person was sentenced to be crucified, they were ordered to take up their cross, and there was only one place that a cross-carrying person was going and that was to their death.) Jesus is calling us to follow Him, to die with Him and live by faith in Him. Galatians 2:20 states, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). What kind of exaltation would a humble believer receive? Can you name some instances in your own life where God humbled you and later lifted you up? Did it require you patiently waiting on Him?