A Life Worthy

Tag: Christ’s Obedience

  • One-a-Day Monday, 2/3/14

    number 1Therefore 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.

  • One-a-Day Friday, 1/31/14

    number 1And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!  (Philippians 2:8)

    He didn’t have to die—you know that.

    He chose to die, for reasons I still can’t fully grasp.  I mean, I understand the basic theological concept of redemption.  He who knew no sin, taking the burden of my sin upon himself, dying in my place to pay the price for that sin and restore my relationship to the Father.  He took the punishment because—and here’s where my brain locks up—he thinks I’m worth it.

    I hope he’s right.

    I can’t wrap my head around the concept, but I can wrap my heart around it.

    That’s enough.

    Still, the whole thing is just so very not the way I would have done it.

    And there you go, folks—reason #37 to be glad I am not God.

    Thank you, Lord, that you were willing to pay the price I could never pay.

    Thank you, Father, that it did not end with the cross.