Bearing In Mind The Exaltation | Philippians Ii.9

bearing in mind the exaltation | Philippians ii.9

Paul is talking about the exalted Lord, literally raised up

This includes the idea of the Resurrection of Christ, although that term is not used.

What other world religion boasts a resurrected spiritual leader?
What other world religion has so much evidence pointing to a risen Savior?

Consider one evidence that is very important in their time, eye-witnesses. Paul raises up leaders from all over to help him plant New Testament (NT) churches. He also uses leaders from the established church in Jerusalem . . . eye-witnesses. The Apostles eventually leave Jerusalem as well for the fields . . . powerful eye-witnesses of the risen Lord.

Imagine – what would it do for the Early Church (EC) to have eye-witnesses among them?
What would it do for your congregation to have eye-witnesses as members?

We have to keep in mind that this is real. We serve a risen Lord. More than that, we know the resurrected Christ, who walks with us and lives in us.

there is more to the idea of the exalted Lord

Paul is talking about the status God the Father now gives to the Son.

“The words ‘highly exalted’ are the translation of a Greek word which means ‘to exalt to the highest rank and power, to raise to supreme majesty.’ It refers to a super-eminent exaltation.”[1]

What does this mean?
Isn’t Jesus already exalted?

Keep in mind what we have discussed so far in this series, the words of this hymn.

To review this series go to the Word Study or Theology categories in the Archives.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Phil 2.5-8; KJV)

For the whole hymn CLICK

Jesus changes His form, His likeness, His fashion. He takes on the form, likeness, fashion of mankind. Although His form has changed, His nature as God has not: fully God, fully Man. He is not just any man, but a lowly man, no reputation, a servant, humbled, obedient. He is a man on mission, obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Acknowledging the humility of Christ, now let’s start bearing in mind the exaltation.

What does it mean for the Father to exalt the Son?

Jesus is exalted by the Father precisely because Jesus humbles Himself

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him (Phil 2.9.a)

In the 1st part of the hymn, Jesus takes action, choosing humility, and walking with us.

In the last part of the hymn, the Father takes action, resurrecting and exalting Jesus. Let’s compare it to Matthew 23.12:

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Jesus is speaking from experience. Jesus humbles Himself and the Father exalts Him. In His Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Exaltation, Jesus illustrates His own point!

There are many lessons on humility we can learn here, but let me just ask:

Is it better to “toot your own horn” or for “someone else to sing your praises”?
What is the value of true humility?
Is humility really recognized in our society?

Because of Christ’s humility, the Father exalts Him

Through Christ, the Father does the same for us.

I-would-sing-to-you — *Tyson Motsenbocker on stage* [2]

We often pray, not knowing what to do with our hopes, dreams, problems, issues, sins, etc. He helps us sort through our dreams, deal with problems, receive forgiveness for sins, etc.

He exalts us above our situations, above our earthly perspectives, and above ourselves.

Has the Father ever lifted or exalted you out of the mess you were in?

note:

[1] Kenneth S. Wuest, “Philippians,” in Philippians – Hebrews – The Pastoral Epistles – First Peter in these Last Days, vol. 2 of Wuest’s Word Studies From The Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1973), 70-71.
[2] pic credit: tmotsenbocker | Tyson Motsenbocker on stage | 12.08.15 | creative commons. The reason I chose Tyson Motsenbocker for the art is because his story is similar from what I know. I believe he used to be a minister. Although Christian music is a ministry, he left a life behind to become a singer/songwriter who is not extremely well known. Also, like our Lord, Tyson does not pull his punches when he is critiquing organized religion. In one song he declares that “What gets sold on Sunday morning” may not be authentic enough to reach those with deeper questions and issues. Perhaps because of all Tyson humbly left behind, God exalted him and gave him the opportunity to sign with a major label Tooth & Nail Records.