The Name Above All Names
Maybe this past year has been filled with great joy or moments of grief. Wherever you find yourself, the new year is a natural point to reflect on the past and look toward the future. Whether through the Great Annual Examen or simply by looking back at Scripture, Jesus invites a kind of reflection that points you back to Him.
Gabriel, an angel sent to Mary, appeared with a message about Jesus' arrival: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32). This promise fulfilled through Jesus' life actually becomes an invitation for us, one that could change everything.
Philippians 2:6-11 retells the story of the Good News: "Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When we appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Jesus lived a blameless life, died a criminal's death, and defeated death so that we could have eternal life with Him! Philippians 2:6-11 is known as the Christ Hymn, a poem of obedience and worship to God. Paul's poem emphasizes the selflessness and divine relationship that we might have because of what Jesus did on the cross.
Right before the poem begins, Paul says something we cannot lose sight of. "Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." - Philippians 2:1-5.
DIVE DEEPER
So, how did you do this year? In what ways were you able to reflect the same attitudes as Christ? We don't learn from experience, but from reflection on experiences. Take a moment to reflect on Philippians 2:1-5 and make space for how you might prepare for the new year:
Encouragement from belonging to Christ - where have I been encouraged this last year because of my faith in Christ?
Comfort from His love - where has God comforted me? What pain or hardship did I endure that needed comforting?
Fellowship together in the Spirit - who did I spend my time with? How did we grow closer to God and to one another?
Tender and compassionate hearts - how much did these descriptions mark how we showed up with others this year?
How is God inviting you to embody Christ this new year? What sort of support might you need to make this happen? Watch this weekend’s message to learn more.