THE CURRENT REIGN OF JESUS -- Tomorrow:
(1 Corinthians 15:25)
In order to save humanity, "the Word, who was in the beginning with God and was God," became flesh (John 1:14). This great condescension was necessary if men were to be rescued from condemnation. God's spoken word is great beyond imagination. By it the worlds were framed from things that do not appear (Heb 11:3). The vast realm of creation was called into being by the powerful word of the almighty -- "Let there be . . . " However, fallen humanity could not be saved by a spoken word. The situation was so challenging that it required a Divine work of staggering proportions!
The Scriptures inform us of the unspeakable humility involved in the Savior entering into this world. " . . . being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:6-8, NKJV). The phrase "did not consider it robbery to be equal with God" goes beyond human comprehension. The idea is that Jesus had to divest Himself of Divine prerogatives, becoming dependent upon God, rather than equal with Him. Although this was a staggering cost to pay, the Lord did not consider Himself robbed in that matter. He saw the salvation of fallen man as worthy of even this great depth of humility. Rather than keeping "the form of God," He took upon Himself "the form of a bondservant." As if that was not enough, He descended further into the realm of humility, even to death. This was not a normal death, but 'the death of the cross," wherein He endured the very curse of God (Gal 3:13).
Our text declares the response of God to the great humility of the Savior. Having descended into the depths of dishonor, the Father raised Him to the height of honor. He "highly exalted" the Lord Jesus, giving Him a name that would ultimately demand the honor of all men. He invested Jesus with such power and authority that at His name every knee will bow, acknowledging His absolute superiority. Everyone who has occupied this earth will bow to Him. All personalities in heaven will bow to Him. All dark powers under the earth will bow to Him. There is not a created personality within the vast domain of "the worlds" (Heb 1:2,3) that will not publicly acknowledge Him to be "Head over all things."
It is "at the name of Jesus" that all knees will bow, and all tongues confess. If, in this world, during this "day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2), our knees bow "at the name of Jesus," we will realize the fulness of salvation in that day. If men fail to bow here and now, they will bow then to their own "shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan 12:2). This is not a mere technicality. Jesus is actually "above all." There is no created personality above Him, or that is not subject to Him. Eventually, that will be acknowledged by all. Blessed is the person who does so now, in this day of grace.
Jesus is not anticipating receiving a name above all other names, He has already received it! It only remains for His exaltation to become apparent to those upon the earth--everyone else knows! God has appointed a day when He will unveil the exalted Savior, showing who He is, and has been since the day He, as "the Man Christ Jesus," sat down at the Father's right hand. Of that showing, or manifestation, it is written, "Which in His times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim 6:15).
Possessing a name above all names equates to reigning. Jesus is not simply a figurehead.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a reigning Savior, who is fully able to implement the full salvation You have appointed.