The Humility and Exaltation of Christ (Monday)

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Humility of Christ
Jesus is fully God. He did not sacrifice any of His divinity during the incarnation, and yet He was fully man, willingly setting aside His divine privileges to come humbly as an infant. His divine nature has no weakness, yet He took on human weakness, experiencing hunger, thirst, and frailty. He was born as a baby, dependent on others to fulfill his needs. He was susceptible to harm and sickness. The Son of God willingly emptied Himself, taking on flesh to become a servant among His creation.

Death on a Cross
Crucifixion was a cruel and degrading execution perfected for the worst of criminals, yet Christ endured it for us. He willingly laid down His life for us, subjecting Himself to mockery, agony, and death. Christ humbly submitted Himself to the will of His Father, and was fully dependent on His plan, even when it meant death on a cross. Death is the ultimate form of weakness, and yet Christ willingly and obediently died on our behalf. In addition to physical suffering, He bore the full weight of our sin, freeing us from its curse. His humility—both in body and in spirit—secured our redemption.

Jesus Christ is Lord
The cross fully displays all aspects of the glory of God. At the cross He satisfies the penalty of sin while lavishing His grace upon us. He is just and the justifier. Then He rose again, conquering sin and death, becoming the firstborn from the dead. Christ made himself weak in order to save us, and through that weakness, He has been exalted above every other name. The cross is the culmination of God’s plan for redemption and Christ’s glory.

Paul starts Philippians 2:5-11 with a call to imitate Christ’s humility – a message that defies culture. Salvation came through His rejection, humiliation, and crucifixion. Jesus shows us that the way to life is by taking on an attitude of humility, fully dying to self, and being raised to life in Him.

How does culture define success and value? How does this compare to the way Christ lived His life?

In what areas of your life are you still clinging to fulfillment and purpose outside of Christ?

How can you take steps to die to yourself in that area this week?


Lord, you are exalted above all, above every name in heaven and on earth. Thank you that you loved me so much that you humbled yourself to take on flesh and endure death on a cross so that I might live. Let me imitate your example in every aspect of my life. I pray that the way I live brings glory to your name, and that you always remain overwhelmingly first in my life. I love you Lord, Amen.