Read Philippians 2:9–11
Questions from the Scripture text: Who exalted Jesus (Philippians 2:9)? What name did He give Him? Which knees will bow at the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:10)? What will every tongue confess (Philippians 2:11)? To whose glory?
“Therefore”—the exaltation (Philippians 2:9), bowing (Philippians 2:10), and confession (Philippians 2:11) in our passage is all a consequence of Christ’s humbling Himself as described in Philippians 2:5-8.
In order to understand how these things are connected, it is important for us to see their relation to Isaiah 45:21–25. There Yahweh declares “there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me” (Isaiah 45:21) and “I am God and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22) and “to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath” (Isaiah 45:23) and “to Him men shall come and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him” (Isaiah 45:24) and “in Yahweh all the descendants of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory” (Isaiah 45:25).
He is exalted because it is the right of His person. He is “in the form of God,” Philippians 2:6. Even though Jesus was willing to add humanity to Himself in humility, it was still the right that He be declared Lord (Yahweh), for that is who He is in His Person. As Jesus also tells us, we ought to put ourselves in the lowest position, since the Lord will surely lift us to wherever we belong (Luke 14:7–11, cf. 1 Peter 5:5–6). And the center of the throne of heaven as the Creator of heaven and earth is right where Jesus belongs, Hallelujah!
He is exalted because He proves Himself to be Yahweh by being the Savior. The Holy Spirit had said through Isaiah that there is no Savior but Yahweh. So, when Jesus saves us by His death on the cross, He displays that He is Yahweh in human flesh. Only Yahweh could have done that. Only Yahweh is valuable enough to be a propitiation (“full atonement,” cf. Romans 3:25 and God exhibiting Jesus as a propitiation). This is one more reason why we can never contribute to our own salvation. Yahweh alone is the Savior, and when Jesus saved He proved Himself to be Yahweh!
He is exalted because the Father loves Him and is pleased with Him. Jesus had said, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again” (cf. John 10:17). The Father’s love for the Son is infinite and eternal, and exactly corresponding to His loveliness and worthiness. When the Lord Jesus had done that which was so worthy and lovely, the Father gave Him that honor which is His due and His Father’s delight to give.
Shall we not also delight to give Him His due? It is the Father’s pleasure that we should call Jesus Lord. And we won’t be alone doing so. As Isaiah said “all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him,” so it shall come to pass. All knees will bow in heaven, and earth, and under the earth. And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And because He and God and the Spirit are one God, the display of His glory is unto the glory of God the Father!
What are some reasons Christ is worthy of worship? What will be done for those humbling themselves?”
Suggested songs: ARP110B “The LORD Has Spoken to My Lord” or TPH270 “At the Name of Jesus”
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