God Highly Honored Him
Philippians 2:9 · Fresh Start: When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn
“Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names.” — Philippians 2:9 (CEB)
“Therefore.” The most important word in the Christ Hymn. The exaltation doesn’t come despite the emptying, it comes because of it. Jesus descended to the lowest point, and God lifted him to the highest. The path down is the path up.
We resist this logic because the world teaches the opposite: climb, achieve, accumulate, and honor will follow. But Paul says the shape of God’s economy runs in reverse. Honor follows humility. Exaltation follows emptying. The name above all names was given to the one who took the form of a slave.
This doesn’t mean humility is a strategy for getting ahead. That would just be exploitation wearing a humble mask. It means the universe is structured around a truth we keep trying to deny: the way up is down. The way to power is service. The way to life is the cross.
Tomorrow we gather to explore what happens when pride blocks the path, and what opens up when we stop climbing and start emptying. Join us at 8:30 AM with hymns and organ music, or 10:15 AM with our praise team. Online worship is available at youtube.com/@mcphersonfirst.
God who honors the emptied, reshape our understanding of greatness. Christ, you received the name above all names by going to the lowest place. Holy Spirit, prepare our hearts for worship tomorrow. Amen.