MUTUALITY AND SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11, R.S.V.
Excitement filled the auditorium. In a moment the new student body president would be announced. Much discussion had taken place as to who was best suited to the task. Votes had been cast. Hopes were high that the person chosen would be able to represent successfully not only the students to the faculty but also the faculty to the students.
A hush fell over the room as the principal stepped to the podium. As he made the announcement his voice was drowned out by the cheering and whistling students. Faculty members exchanged pleased comments. There was no doubt about it; the young man elected had the ingredient most essential for a successful term of office: mutuality with both students and faculty.
Jesus has been chosen by the Father, on our behalf, to become our representative between heaven and earth. Today's text says that He has been exalted and given the name that is above every name. Verse 7 tells us why: Jesus emptied Himself and took the "form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." In other words, He chose to become one of us. We can confidently put Him forward as our representative.
The wonderful thing is that we can be equally certain that He adequately represents God. He has been given His exalted position "to the glory of God the Father." This means simply that God's character--His attitudes and perspectives--are effectually carried back to us as we learn to dialogue with the Father through Christ.
The thought is held out in this passage that everyone in the universe should readily agree that Jesus is well qualified for this task. He alone is capable of standing in this position. Not only is He one with us, but He is equal with the Father (verse 6). There is simply no one else who fits this description. And let's not forget that God is the one who has sought to provide us with a sense of mutuality between heaven and earth: In accepting Christ, the Father accepts us--even as we ourselves accept God in the person of Christ.
Honestly, it makes me want to whistle and cheer! How about you?
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11, R.S.V.
Excitement filled the auditorium. In a moment the new student body president would be announced. Much discussion had taken place as to who was best suited to the task. Votes had been cast. Hopes were high that the person chosen would be able to represent successfully not only the students to the faculty but also the faculty to the students.
A hush fell over the room as the principal stepped to the podium. As he made the announcement his voice was drowned out by the cheering and whistling students. Faculty members exchanged pleased comments. There was no doubt about it; the young man elected had the ingredient most essential for a successful term of office: mutuality with both students and faculty.
Jesus has been chosen by the Father, on our behalf, to become our representative between heaven and earth. Today's text says that He has been exalted and given the name that is above every name. Verse 7 tells us why: Jesus emptied Himself and took the "form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." In other words, He chose to become one of us. We can confidently put Him forward as our representative.
The wonderful thing is that we can be equally certain that He adequately represents God. He has been given His exalted position "to the glory of God the Father." This means simply that God's character--His attitudes and perspectives--are effectually carried back to us as we learn to dialogue with the Father through Christ.
The thought is held out in this passage that everyone in the universe should readily agree that Jesus is well qualified for this task. He alone is capable of standing in this position. Not only is He one with us, but He is equal with the Father (verse 6). There is simply no one else who fits this description. And let's not forget that God is the one who has sought to provide us with a sense of mutuality between heaven and earth: In accepting Christ, the Father accepts us--even as we ourselves accept God in the person of Christ.
Honestly, it makes me want to whistle and cheer! How about you?
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