The King Who Walks Among Us

Reading from God’s Word

John 1:14 CSB

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:5–11 CSB

5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Introduction

In 1936, King Edward VIII of England made headlines around the world.

He was king — crowned with power, wealth, and privilege.

But there was something he wanted more: to marry Wallis Simpson, an American woman deemed unacceptable by British society and the government.

In order to be with her, Edward chose to abdicate the throne — stepping down from royal power, giving up his crown, leaving behind the palace.

The world was stunned: a king, choosing love over status.

Now… If we marvel at a king who would give up his throne for love on a human level — how much greater is the wonder of our King, who stepped down from eternal glory not for one person, but to redeem an entire world?

We began this month with a bold declaration: We have the greatest King.

Psalm 2 reminded us that Jesus is not just a good teacher, a wise prophet, or a religious figure.

He is the King anointed by God — crowned with glory and majesty.

He rules with justice. He reigns forever. And one day, every nation will bow before Him.

But here’s the amazing truth of the gospel: The King of glory came down and walked among us.

That is the great wonder we consider today.

In every other kingdom of this world, kings expect others to serve them.

They distance themselves from the common people. They insulate themselves in luxury and privilege.

But our King did the opposite.

He stepped down from His throne.

He emptied Himself.

He became flesh.

He humbled Himself — all the way to the cross.

And because of that humility, He is now exalted above all.

Today is Father’s Day — and while I’m not building this sermon around that theme, let me say this in passing:

Fathers, if you want to lead well… if you want your children and family to see true greatness…

It is not found in pride or power — but in humble service, modeled after Jesus Himself.

And that principle is true for every one of us here today.

A few moments ago, we read together from John chapter 1, verse 14… and then from Philippians 2, verses 5 through 11…

As we open the Word this morning, I want you to see this truth with fresh eyes:

The King of glory became flesh.

He didn’t just visit this world — He made His home among us.

And in doing so, He showed us the heart of God in a way the world had never seen.

The King Who Became Flesh

John 1:14 CSB

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

There is no greater mystery — or greater wonder — than this: God became man.

John begins his Gospel with a sweeping declaration:

John 1:1 CSB

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The eternal Word — the divine Son — existed in glory with the Father from before time began.

He spoke the universe into existence.

He ruled in perfect majesty.

And yet… He became flesh.

He entered the world He had made — as a baby; born to a poor family in a backwater town.

He grew up with calloused hands in a carpenter’s shop and in his ministry would walk among the broken — touched lepers, healed the sick, befriended outcasts.

He ate with sinners and entered their homes.

The King of Glory walked in dusty streets. Why?

Because this is the heart of our King:

Back to John 1:14:

John 1:14 CSB

14 …full of grace and truth.

He came to reveal the Father — and to redeem His people.

He came near, so that we could know Him.

Application:

Our King is not distant.

He understands our struggles, our temptations, our griefs — because He experienced them.

Hebrews 4:15 CSB

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

We can draw near to Him with confidence.

Hebrews 4:16 CSB

16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

And we are called to reflect His nearness in how we treat others:

Are we approachable?

Do we go to those in need?

Do we embody His grace and truth?

But becoming flesh was only the beginning of His humility. Let’s see how far our King was willing to go…

The King Who Emptied Himself

Now, let’s turn to Philippians 2:

The wonder of the incarnation leads us even deeper into the heart of Jesus.

He Chose to Walk the Lowest Path

Philippians 2:7 says He didn’t simply step down into human form — He chose to walk the lowest path.

Paul says:

Philippians 2:7 CSB

7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.

That does not mean Jesus ceased to be God. He remained fully divine.

But He willingly laid aside His privileges, His visible glory, His rightful status as King — and chose the life of a servant.

Think about this:

The One whom angels worshiped now washed feet.

The One who spoke worlds into being submitted to human weakness.

The One who owned the cattle on a thousand hills had nowhere to lay His head.

The One who ruled over kings and kingdoms allowed Himself to be falsely accused, mocked, beaten — and nailed to a cross.

He did not empty Himself for show — He did it for our salvation.

He Died as a Defeated Criminal

The cross was not just execution — it was the lowest, most humiliating, most cursed form of death in the ancient world.

To Roman minds, a crucified man was no king — but a defeated criminal.

Philippians 2:8 CSB

8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

Yet this is the path our King chose.

Paul begins this passage with a command:

Philippians 2:5 CSB

5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

This is not just a story to admire — it is a mindset to embrace.

We are called to let go of pride…

To serve with joy…

To humble ourselves, even when it costs us something.

Fathers — and all of us — this is true leadership: Not demanding honor, but giving love. Not insisting on your way, but choosing the way of Christ.

Church family:

What if we lived this way at home?

In the workplace?

In the church?

But here is the glory of the story — the cross was not the end. Because Jesus humbled Himself, God highly exalted Him…

The King Who is Exalted Above All

The cross was not the end of the story

Jesus’ humility led not to defeat — but to glory.

Philippians 2:9 CSB

9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

The language here is powerful:

God super-exalted Him — lifted Him to the highest place.

He gave Him the name above every name — the name before which all creation will bow.

Jesus Christ is now openly declared as Lord of all

Philippians 2:10 CSB

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth—

Every Tongue Will Confess

Philippians 2:11 CSB

11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is not just a future promise — it is a present reality:

Jesus reigns today.

He sits enthroned at the right hand of God.

He is King over kings, Lord over lords.

But one day this will be fully and universally revealed:

In heaven — angels will bow.

On earth — every nation and ruler will bow.

Under the earth — even the defeated forces of evil will acknowledge His lordship.

Picture the scene: every world leader, every famous name, every proud heart… brought low before the throne of Jesus. Willingly or unwillingly, all will confess: “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Application: What does this mean for us today?

Live with reverence.

The One we serve is not a weak king — He is exalted above all.

Our worship should be filled with awe, not casual indifference.

Live with hope.

No matter how dark this world becomes, Jesus reigns.

His Kingdom is unshakable — and we belong to it.

Live with mission.

We are called to help others bow willingly now, rather than in judgment later.

The gospel is an invitation: “Come now, and confess Jesus as Lord — and find grace and life in Him.”

And so the story of Jesus leads us here: From crown, to cross, to crown again. The King who walked among us is now exalted above all — and He calls us to live each day in the light of His presence.

Living in the Presence of the Servant-King

So what does this mean for us?

This is more than a beautiful story about Jesus — it is the pattern of life for every follower of the King.

Philippians 2:5 says

Philippians 2:5 CSB

5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

If Jesus — the exalted King — chose the path of humility and service…

If He walked among us, emptied Himself, and endured the cross…

How can we, as His people, do any less?

What it looks like to live in the presence of this Servant-King:

Walk in humility

Let go of pride.

Stop clinging to position or recognition.

Ask: “How can I serve?”, not “How can I be served?”

Live with awe and worship.

The King is exalted — He reigns right now.

Do not treat His presence lightly.

Come before Him in worship — with reverence, with gratitude, with joy.

Serve with joyful obedience.

The King’s path is still the path of the cross.

Real greatness in His Kingdom is found through humble service.

Look for ways this week to reflect His heart:

In your home

In your workplace

In this church family

In your community

Live with hope

The world may feel unstable — but our King reigns.

And as we’ll see next Sunday, His Kingdom is unshakable.

We can live today with confidence, knowing the end of the story is already written.

As We Close…

From Crown to Cross to Crown Again

We have the greatest King.

Not only because He reigns in glory — but because He walked among us.

Not only because He holds all power — but because He chose to serve.

Not only because every knee will one day bow — but because He gave His life to save us.

This is the King who calls us to follow Him.

To walk in humility.

To live in His presence with reverence and joy.

To serve others with His heart.

And to proclaim His name — until the day every knee bows and every tongue confesses: “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”