Therefore God exalted him to the highest place…  (Philippians 2:9a)

This is profound and utterly beyond me.

The word “Therefore” indicates to me that Jesus was exalted as a result of his obedience to the Father.  Yet he was raised to the position that was already his—the position he gave up when he came to us as a man.  Why could he not simply claim by right that which was his from eternity?  I am continually amazed, not only by Christ’s power, but by his willingness to restrain that power.  I have no doubt that, if I were in his place, I would not have waited for the Father to exalt me.  I would have exalted myself.

Reason #42 to be glad I’m not God.