December 18, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 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.
My Journal for Today: Yes, we’re back again in Phil. 2: 9 as John MacArthur continues to help me (us) appreciate the explanation of Christ’s exaltation, showing that God’s raising of The Second Person of the Trinity to reglorification was the reverse of the incarnation of Christ. Having become a babe in a manager, … having been a servant, … even a slave; and having died ignominiously on a cross, … Christ was raised from the grave, brought by God’s Spirit into Heaven, seated on God’s Throne, crowned as King of kings and Lord of lords, and established to His Royal Priesthood as Head of His Church.
He, Who was rejected, was accepted. He, Who had chosen obedience and humility to His Father, was once again given all power and authority (see Eph. 1: 22 – 33). And He, Who had been spat upon by the religious leaders of His day, became the High Priest for God’s Church and our intercessor/advocate forever.
Is this not the most glorious thing that one could ever contemplate – especially in this time of year when we’re so reminded of His incarnation? And John MacArthur closes his exposition and devotional on this date by emphasizing a point of enormous importance, doing so by quoting the Puritan, Thomas Walton, who wrote, “As sure as Christ is exalted, … so sure will He instate believers in all that glory … (see John 17: 22).”
What an incredible hope and encouragement this is, especially for those of us who’ve been lifted out of the tarpits of habitual sin and rebellion by His wondrous gift of grace. To be able to walk with Him and for Him in this life is truly the realization of the words of John Newton’s Amazing Grace (hum and sing those first bars with me), “Amazing grace … how sweet the sound … that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost; but now I’m found … was blind but now I see.”
But wondrously, it doesn’t stop there … there’s more! Stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: All praise and thanks, dear Lord, for your exalted place in glory; and a place saved for me! Amen
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