Meditations on the Exalted Christ

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php 2:9-11
The Exaltation of Christ

There are eternal meditations, and truths regarding the resurrected Christ, which are inexhaustible. Some that will be listed here, will give the reader some examples to begin with, that can lead to off-branches of many more.

I. Was a divine act.—“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him” Php_2:9). As a recognition of the humiliation and obedience of Christ, God exalted Him to the throne of mediatorial sovereignty. As Bengel puts it, “Christ emptied Christ; God exalted Christ as man to equality with God” (Compare Psa_8:5-6; Psa_110:1; Psa_110:7; Mat_28:18; Luk_24:26; Joh_5:27; Joh_10:17; Rom_14:9; Eph_1:20-22; Heb_2:9).

II. Was the acquisition of a name of pre-eminent dignity and significance.—“And given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus” (Php_2:9-10). Jesus is the same as Joshua, or Jehoshua, only framed to the Greek pronunciation and termination. Joshua, who brought the hosts of Israel into the rest of Canaan, was originally called Hoshea, but it was changed into Joshua or Jehoshua, by an addition of the first syllable in the divine name Jehovah, perhaps to intimate that not Joshua of himself, but Jehovah by him, would complete the deliverance and rest of Israel. The name Jesus means Jehovah-Saviour, or Jehovah-Salvation, and Jesus is so called because He saves His people from their sins. The name cannot be given to any other being; it belongs solely and absolutely to the one Jesus. “Here we should probably look,” says Lightfoot, “to a common Hebrew sense of name, not meaning a definite appellation, but denoting office, rank, dignity. In this case the use of the name of God in the Old Testament to denote the divine Presence or the divine Majesty, more especially as the object of adoration and praise, will suggest the true meaning; since the context dwells on the honour and worship henceforth offered to Him on whom the name has been conferred. To praise the name, to bless the name, to fear the name of God, are frequent expressions in the Old Testament.” The name of Jesus marks the pre-eminence of Jesus—it is the “name above every name.” That name wields the mightiest power in the world to-day. A modern writer of reputation has said: “There is a wave—I believe it is only a wave—passing over the cultivated thought of Europe at present, which will make short work of all belief in a God that does not grip fast to Jesus Christ. As far as I can read the signs of the times and the tendency of modern thinking, it is this—either an absolute silence, a heaven stretching above us, blue and clear and cold, and far away and dumb; or else a Christ that speaks—He or none. The theism that has shaken itself loose from Him will be crushed, I am sure, in the encounter with the agnosticism and materialism of this day.” The name of the exalted Jesus is the salvation of the world in more senses than one.

III. Entitles him to universal homage.—“Every knee shall bow … and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Php_2:10-11). Beings above, below, and on the earth shall acknowledge the supremacy and deity of Jesus, and unite in a universal and consentaneous act of praise and worship of His divine majesty. On the door of the old mosque in Damascus, once a Christian church, but now ranked among the holiest of the Mahometan sanctuaries, are inscribed these remarkable words: “Thy kingdom, O Christ, is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” For more than twelve hundred years the inscription has remained unimpaired by time and undisturbed by man. What is it waiting for? Already a Christian Church has been founded in that ancient city, and the gospel is preached there every Sabbath. The world’s submission to Jesus is drawing near.

Lessons.—The name of Jesus—1. Is unique in its reputation. 2. In its moral influence among the nations. 3. In its saving power. 4. In the homage Paid to it.

GOING ON FURTHER-GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES:

Php_2:9-11. The Name of Jesus: its Exaltation and Power.
I. The Savior’s exaltation (Php_2:9).—He was exalted by His resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and His glorious session at the right hand of God, whence He now discharges the high functions of Prophet, Priest, and King.
II. The Savior’s name.—“That at the name of Jesus” (Php_2:10). Jehovah, the Savior. 1. The supreme eminence of the name.—“A name which is above every name.” 2. Pre-eminent because no other being could receive the title. 3. Pre-eminent because there is no other name that has the mysterious virtue of saving as this.
III. The power of the Savior’s name.—1. In saving the sinner. 2. In commanding the homage and worship of all, and in eliciting the universal acknowledgment of His deity (Php_2:10-11).
We learn a lesson of humility.—1. Because Christ humbled Himself for us. 2. We should humble ourselves on account of past sins. 3. Humility leads to exaltation.

Christ Worthy of Universal Homage.—1. The Lord Christ, having abased Himself for our redemption, was exalted by the Father to the highest pitch of glory. 2. The name which is above every name is said to be given to Christ, because His divine majesty, before hid, was now manifested and the human nature so highly honored that that person who is man is true God, and is to be acknowledged as such. 3. However small a part of the world acknowledge Christ to be the Lord, His glory will grow till all reasonable creatures in heaven, earth, and hell subject themselves to Him, and the giving of divine honor to Him does in no way impair the glory of God the Father. [Fergusson]

FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE OF SELF-SURRENDER

​"In all Scripture-indeed, in all literature-there is no passage which combines such extraordinary extremes as this. The Apostle opens the golden compasses of his faith, placing one jeweled point on the throne of divine glory and the other at the edge of the pit, where the Cross stood; and then he asks us to measure the vast descent of the Son of God as He came down to help us. Mark the seven steps: He was in the form of God, that is, as much God as He was afterward a servant; being in the form of God… took the form of a servant. He was certainly the latter and equally so the former. He did not grasp at equality with God, for it was already His. He emptied Himself, that is, refused to avail Himself of the use of His divine attributes, that He might teach the meaning of absolute dependence on the Father. He obeyed as a servant the laws which had their source in Himself. He became man-a humble man, a dying man, a crucified man. He lay in the grave. But the meaning of His descent was that of His ascent, and to all His illustrious names is now added that of Jesus-Savior. This must be our model. This mind must be in us. In proportion as we become humbled and crucified, we, in our small measure, shall attain the power of blessing and saving men."  [F.B. Meyer]

The Supreme King
Every Knee Shall Bow

In the former verses the Sun of Righteousness is eclipsed; here He shines forth in all His strength and splendor. The doctrine of Christ’s humiliation leads you to Mount Calvary; but this doctrine leads you to Mount Olivet. There you may see Christ standing at the bar; here you see Him sitting on the throne.

I. The doctrine of Christ’s exaltation.
1. It pleased God that He who humbled Himself should be “made higher than the heavens,” that He who appeared as a servant should now appear as the Lord of Glory.
The word “highly exalted” is emphatic and singular; His exaltation was super superlative. Jesus Christ in His resurrection was exalted; in His ascension “highly exalted;” in His sitting at the right hand of God “very highly exalted above all exaltation.” In His resurrection, He was exalted above the grave; in His ascension, above the earth; in His session, above the highest heavens. The steps of Christ’s exaltation answered the steps of His humiliation.

​(1) His incarnation is answerable to His resurrection, for by the first He was “manifest in the flesh” the Son of Man; by the second “declared to be the Son of God with power” (Rom_1:3-4).
(2) His poor, painful, and shameful life, and His painful and cursed death, is answerable to His ascension and sitting at the right hand of God. In the one He was disparaged, in the second honoured. In the disparagement He was lower than the angels; in the honour, far above them (Heb_1:5-13; Eph_1:20-22).
(3) His coming to judge the world answers His being judged by the world. The former is the completion of His exaltation as the latter was of His degradation (Isa_53:1-12; Joh_5:22-23). Jesus by His resurrection overcame His enemies (Heb_2:14); by His ascension triumphed over them (Corinthians 2:15); by His Judgeship He tries and condemns them. For the further demonstration of His exaltation note--

2. That God hath given Him a name that is above every name.
(1) What is to be understood by this name—the power, dignity, and authority with which Christ was invested.
(a) Sometimes name is put for glory and renown (Gen_6:4; 1Ch_5:24, Hebrews); thus Christ is invested with the glory of the only begotten of the Father
(b) for the power and sovereignty by which Christ is King of nations and of saints (Joh_10:25; Act_3:6; Act_4:7). Of this He spake at the ascension (Mat_28:18). And the glory of Christ’s name is such that shall be celebrated through all ages (Luk_2:10-14; Heb_1:6; Rev_5:12).

(2) How hath Christ obtained a name above every name. This name is a demonstration of Christ’s super-exaltation, and notes four things.
(a) That Jesus should be the only Saviour of the world (Act_4:11-12).
(b) In that He is exalted to sit at the right hand of God, which is a name or honour angels never had (Heb_1:3-4; Heb_1:13).
(c) Because it is through this name that the name of God becomes a comfort to us. The attributes of God are the “name of God.” To a Christless sinner all the attributes of God are against Him: wisdom (Jer_17:10; 1Jn_3:20); holiness (Hab_1:13); justice; omnipotence. But the name of Christ makes the name of God a sanctuary (Pro_18:10), and a comfort: wisdom (Psa_73:24; Mat_6:32); holiness (1Co_1:10); justice (Rom_3:25-26; Rom_8:1); omnipotence (Rom_8:31).
(d) Because His name should be most precious and powerful in His Church through all generations (Mat_18:20; Joh_14:13; 1Co_5:4; Mat_28:19).

(3) How are we to understand that God hath given Him a name? As Mediator; for so only was He capable of exaltation. Not as God, for that cannot be, nor in the sense of the manifestation of His glory, for the sun is not exalted when the cloud is removed; nor as mere man, for humanity is incapable of such exaltation and worship; but as God-man.

3. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.
(1) What is meant by bowing the knee. Some understand this literally, but if “name” stands for power then kneeling must mean submission (Gen_41:43; Joh_5:22-23).
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(2) Who shall bow?
(a) All knees in heaven voluntarily.
(i) The good angels who always obeyed and honored Christ (Dan_9:24-25; Luk_1:30-31; Luk_2:13-14; Mat_2:13; Mat_4:11; Luk_22:43; Mat_28:6; Act_1:11; Heb_1:6; Mat_25:31). All this service was performed unto Christ, not only as Creator (Col_1:16), but as Governor (Col_2:10; Eph_1:21-22).
(ii) The spirits of just men made perfect (Rev_5:9-10; Rev_4:8; Rev_4:10).
(b) On earth
(i) good men willingly (Psa_110:3). By nature they are children of disobedience (Col_3:6-7; Col_3:1; Col_3:21; Rom_8:7). But the grace of God removes that “iron sinew” (Isa_48:4).
(ii) Evil men under compulsion; because they do not willingly bear Christ’s yoke they shall become His footstool (Psa_110:1).
(c) In hell (Luk_10:17; Luk_8:28-32; Jas_2:19; Col_2:15; Heb_2:14).

4. That every tongue shall confess.
(1) What is meant by every tongue? Not simply every nation but every person.
(2) What is meant by Jesus is Lord? (1Co_2:8).
(a) As Creator (1Co_8:6; Rom_11:36).
(b) As Son of God (Heb_1:2-4).
(c) As such He is a Lord to command us and to save us.
(3) As every knee must bow to Christ’s dominion so every tongue must confess Him Lord.
(a) Devils and wicked men (Rev_6:14).
(b) Saints and angels (Rev_5:12-13).

II. The end of Christ’s exaltation. As God had no motive without Himself, so He had no end beyond Himself in giving Christ (Eph_1:6). For this Christ prayed (Joh_12:28).

III. Application.
1. Use of information. As Christ first suffered and entered into His glory (Luk_24:26), even so must we (Act_14:22; 2Ti_2:11).
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2. Use of exhortation. Is Christ exalted? Then let us, our tongues, knees, hearts, lives, acknowledge Him to be our Lord.
(1) What Jews, Pilate, and Herod did in scorn, let us do in sincerity.
(2) Let us take heed that we do not violate our allegiance to Him (Exo_5:2; Psa_12:4 : Luk_19:27).
(a) Christ is only a Saviour to those who submit to Him (Heb_5:9; Tit_2:11-12.
(b) Every knee must one day bow to Him.
(c) The sins of Christians are far greater than those of the Jews against Christ who sinned against Him in His state of humiliation (Heb_6:6). They did it in ignorance (Act_3:17; 1Co_2:1).
(d) Christ at last will be too hard for the hardest-hearted sinner.

3. Use of comfort to believers.
(1) Is Christ exalted? then we may comfortably believe that He hath perfectly satisfied God’s justice for us.
(2) Christ though exalted is still mindful of us (Heb_2:15-18).
(3) Christ is exalted to heaven, and so shall all believers be in due time (Joh_17:24; Col_3:4). (W. Taylor, A. B.)

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
I. To what period does the assertion refer.
1. Not the present, which would not be the fact, and besides the text is a prophecy. Many objects are now worshipped: riches, pleasure, etc.
2. At the judgment, when every usurper will be dethroned, and every rebel crushed.

II. The persons alluded to.
1. His willing and devoted servants.
2. Others will bow unwillingly.

III. The consequences of this event. Jesus will reign with undisputed sway.
1. Sin will be banished from His dominions.
2. There will be no more contention.
3. There will be no more weakness or sorrow.
4. There will be no more fear of death. (W. H. Davison.)

The supremacy of Christ:
I. Is universal.
1. In heaven and on earth.
2. In the control of providence and grace.
3. In the administration of mercy and judgment.
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II. Must be universally acknowledged.
1. By His enemies as by His friends.
2. To this end He is exalted at the right hand of God.

III. Secures the glory of God.
1. In the accomplishment of His purpose.
2. The revelation of His character.
3. The completion of His kingdom. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

Christ’s claims:
I. The claims of Christ upon our faith; submission; obedience; love.
II. His power to enforce them. He is exalted; as Lord of all.
III. The certainty of their final acknowledgment. Every knee shall bow, etc.; to the glory of God the Father. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

And things under the earth - Beings under the earth. The whole universe shall confess that he is Lord. This embraces, doubtless, those who have departed from this life, and perhaps includes also fallen angels. The meaning is, that riley shall all acknowledge him as universal Lord; all how to his sovereign will; all be subject to his control; all recognize him as divine. The fallen and the lost will do this; for they will be constrained to yield an unwilling homage to him by submitting to the sentence from his lips that shall consign them to woe; and thus the whole universe shall acknowledge the exalted dignity of the Son of God. But this does not mean that they will all be saved, for the guilty and the lost may be compelled to acknowledge his power, and submit to his decree as the sovereign of the universe. There is the free and cheerful homage of the heart which they who worship him in heaven will render; and there is the constrained homage which they must yield who are compelled to acknowledge his authority.
[Albert Barnes]

The triumphs of Christ:
"Before many a Popish shrine on the continent one sees exhibited a great variety of crutches, together with wax models of arms, legs, and other limbs. These are supposed to represent the cures wrought by devotion at that altar; the memorials of the healing power of the saint. Poor miserable superstition all of it, and yet what a reminder to the believer in Jesus as to his duty and his privilege! Having pleaded at the feet of Jesus, we have found salvation; have we remembered to record this wonder of His hand? If we hung up memorials of all His matchless grace, what crutches, and bandages, and trophies of every sort should we pile together!" (C. H. Spurgeon.)

​"Wherefore - Because of his voluntary humiliation and obedience. He humbled himself; but God hath exalted him - So recompensing his humiliation. And hath given him - So recompensing his emptying himself. A name which is above every name - Dignity and majesty superior to every creature.
​That every knee - That divine honor might be paid in every possible manner by every creature. Might bow - Either with love or trembling. Of those in heaven, earth, under the earth - That is, through the whole universe."   [John Wesley]