The Humility and Exaltation of Christ
There are certain passages of Scripture that seem to consistently convict my heart. Stories like the Parable of the Persistent Widow, the reforms of King Josiah, and the entirety of books like James and 1 John seem to especially have this effect. No matter how many times I’ve read or studied these passages, I am always convicted by their words. Philippians 2:1-11 is another such passage. It ties together the need for believers to have unity and brotherly love among themselves with the reality of Christ’s supreme act of humility and exaltation. As we conclude this season of dwelling on Christ’s birth and incarnation, let us take a few moments to think about the astounding humility of our Savior, using Philippians 2:1-11 as our guide.
The text reads as follows: (1) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, (2) complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (3) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (4) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (5) 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. (8) 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, (10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
While Paul begins to specifically talk about the incarnation of Christ in verse 5, a look at the preceding verses will provide helpful context that is pertinent to Christian life together. Paul begins chapter 2 by telling the Philippian believers to be unified (“of the same mind”), humble, and attentive to the needs of others. He tells them to “look not only to [your] own interest, but also to the interest of others.”
These are not groundbreaking revelations or new commands. Most Christians know that they should seek unity and humility. Most Christians know that they should care for the interests of others. However, doing so is very difficult. As is the case with many biblical truths, it is not knowing what to do that is difficult, but practicing righteousness that is a challenge. Our sinful nature is strong and we need the Holy Spirit to guide our actions. Thankfully, the condescension of the Lord – from heaven to a manger – provides a glorious example of humility.
In verse 5 Paul continues his exhortations to believers by saying they are to have “this mind” among themselves. What is “this mind”? Earlier in the passage, Paul told them to be of “one mind.” Now he is telling them that “this mind” is theirs in Christ. This mind is one of humility and love. One that is willing to give of oneself for the benefit of others.
Paul tells us that Christ “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” In other words, Christ did not use his deity as an advantage or as an excuse to stay in heaven. Surely, he had every right to do so. Jesus was not under compulsion from some higher being that forced him to come to earth. No, Christ was “looking not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Christ took on the form of a servant. He emptied himself and made himself nothing. He desired to fulfill the will of the Father by taking on human form and dying for our sins.
The text goes on to tell us that he “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.” Isn’t that amazing? The 2nd person of the Trinity, who was with God at creation and took part in creation (John 1), emptied himself to the point of death! He was obedient to the will of the Father even when that obedience required death on a cross. Death on a cross was not just any death, but a gruesome, humiliating death reserved for awful criminals. Think for a moment about the depths of Christ’s humility and love. He went from the highest of highs (2nd person of the Trinity in heaven) to the lowest of lows (dying a gruesome, humiliating death). How then can we make excuses to look after our own interests and not to those of others? How then can we remain proud and in discord with our brothers and sisters? Reading the words of this passage has forced me to take a look at my own heart, my own habits, and my care for others. The reality is that looking at Christ should spur us on to brotherly love and humility.
Christ, our beloved Savior, is the ultimate example of looking out for the interests of others. He is the ultimate example of “doing nothing out of rivalry or conceit.” But Christ is not merely an ‘example’ or a ‘model’ for us. Surely, we should strive to model his humility and love, but we are first and foremost called to love and worship Him. In verses 9-11 we see the glory of Christ on full display. The text tells us that Christ has been highly exalted and that every knee will bow to him and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
In Luke 14:11 Jesus says, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The biblical sentiment that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble is repeated numerous times in the Scriptures (Proverbs 3:34 and James 4:6 to name a few). This truth is on display in Philippians 2. In Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus humbles himself more than any mere human could and, therefore, in Philippians 2:9-11 Jesus is exalted above all. Jesus’s ultimate act of humility results in the ultimate form of exaltation. The name of Jesus will be worshipped by all. Those on earth, in heaven, and those under the earth will bow their knee to Christ Jesus. He alone is worthy of all exultation.
We have just recently spent time at Christmas dwelling on the birth and incarnation of the Savior. Christ came to earth so that we might be saved. His death paid the price for sin and through faith in Him we are saved. As we think about Christ’s incarnation, let us remember his humility. Let us remember that his birth in a manger was a result of him emptying himself and taking on human form. Let us have “this mind” among ourselves – one that is willing to empty ourselves and look out for the interests of others. Doing this not for our own exultation, but for that of Christ.
