Philippians 2:8–9 (ESV)
“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.”
DEVOTIONAL
There is no greater contrast in all of history than what we find in these verses. The Lord Jesus Christ—the eternal Son of God, perfect in holiness, worthy of unceasing praise—stooped down into the lowest place for us. He did not cling to His divine privileges. Instead, He took the form of a servant. He bore our griefs. He walked our dusty roads. He wept over death. And He was nailed to a Roman cross—the most shameful death this world could offer.
This is not weakness. This is love. This is divine humility.
Christ humbled Himself. No one forced Him. No one overpowered Him. He willingly descended into the depths of suffering and shame, that He might lift us up from the pit of sin and death. He drank the cup of wrath so that we might taste the cup of grace.
But the grave could not hold Him. The One who bowed His head in death is now crowned with glory and honor. “Therefore,” Paul says—because of His obedience, because of His love, because He perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will—“God has highly exalted Him.”
He now reigns. The Man of Sorrows is now the King of Glory. The Lamb who was slain is also the Lion of Judah. And one day every knee shall bow—whether in adoring worship or trembling judgment—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
What does this mean for us? It means that the path to glory is the path of the cross. Christ’s humility is not only the foundation of our salvation, but the pattern for our lives. We follow a crucified King. To walk in His steps is to die to self, to serve without seeking status, to trust God when the road is hard—and to wait with hope, knowing that resurrection joy comes after the cross.
So take heart. If today you suffer for His name, if you walk through sorrow, know this: Christ has gone before you. He is not only the Savior of your soul—He is your sympathetic High Priest, and your returning King.
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus,
We praise You as the exalted King who once wore the crown of thorns. Thank You for humbling Yourself for sinners like us—entering our world, bearing our guilt, and dying our death. We are unworthy, yet You gave Yourself freely out of love.
Help us to follow You in humility, in obedience, and in trust—even when it costs us. When the road is dark, remind us that You have walked it before us. When pride rises in our hearts, bring us low at the foot of Your cross. And when we feel forgotten or unseen, lift our eyes to Your throne, where You reign in majesty.
May our lives bring glory to You—until that day when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that You are Lord.
In Your holy and precious name,
Amen.