The Exaltation Of Christ and The Church

Read Philippians 2:1-11

Therefore…

Because of His humility:

His willingness to give up the honor, glory, and praise He was due

His willingness to take on weak, human flesh

His willingness to endure the trials and temptations we face

His willingness to be beaten, shamed, and crucified on our behalf

because of these things, the Father has exalted Him.

Spurgeon - Philippians commentary There is a marvelous connection between that shame, and spitting, and the bending of the knee of seraphs; there is a strange yet mystic link that unites the calumny and the slander with the choral sympathies of adoring angels… O Christian! Sit down and consider that your Master did not mount from earth’s mountains into heaven, but from her valleys. It was not from the heights of bliss on earth that He strode to bliss eternal, but from depths of woe He mounted up to glory.

Nothing in history matches the scorn and defamation that fallen, sinful men inflicted upon the Son of God during His incarnation. Yet…

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

for the joy that was set before him [He] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

…God has highly exalted Him…

He is exalted, firstly, through the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 2:32 ESV

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Acts 5:30 ESV

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.

Ephesians 1:20 ESV

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Secondly, Jesus is exalted through the ascension.

John 20:17 ESV

Jesus said to [Mary Magdalene], “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

Later, when after He had given last instructions to the eleven on the Mount of Olives:

Acts 1:9 ESV

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

Thirdly, Jesus is exalted through His coronation.

Matthew 28:18 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Upon His ascension, He took His spot at the right hand of the Father.

Acts 5:31 ESV

God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

1 Peter 3:22 ESV

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Acts 7:55–56 ESV

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

From heaven, Jesus Christ reigns forever far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And [the Father] put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, (Ephesias 1:21-22).

Finally, Jesus is exalted through His High Priestly position.

Romans 8:34 ESV

Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:25–26 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.