We're going to keep stressing that Hebrews is written with the idea of showing the Hebrew people that Jesus of Nazareth was not just a martyr. He was not just a prophet, but rather He was God the Son! He was the Creator of everything. So here in Philippians chapter 2, Paul, we think covers the whole realm of Christ’s coming and what He accomplished. Verse 5:
Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God,…" Remember what the Scripture says in John 1:1?
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." So this same Jesus, the Word in John 1:2, the Christ:
Philippians 2:6-7 "Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery (or it wasn’t anything that He was doing that wasn’t appropriate) to be equal with God:7. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him (Himself) the form of a servant, (or a bond slave is a better term) and was made in the likeness of men:" He was made in the likeness of men, He put on the body God had prepared for Him (Genesis3:15), as He was born of the virgin Mary, but always remember He was still God. We’re going to be showing that as we go further in Hebrews. He never stopped for a moment being part of that Godhead. Now verse 8:
Philippians 2:8 "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, (Rome didn’t humble Him, the Hebrew leaders didn’t humble Him, but rather He humbled Himself, He put on our flesh) and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
In the Eastern social structure a young man, who's family has a business of some sort, would be given a tutor, who would take the young man and train him in reading, writing, mathematics, reasoning and logic. After a few years of this training the young man would be tested to see how well he could handle his families business. If he passed this testing he would be taken before the family and pronounced heir of the family business. He would be allowed to conduct the every day business affairs, still under the watchful eyes of his grandfather and father. Then one day a day predetermined by the family elders he would be taken before the public and would be given control of the family business and full heir-ship. He then would no longer be under those watchful eyes because he was given liberty to run all business affairs independently. Point of interest, this would usually take place at or about his thirteenth and his thirtieth birthdays respectfully.
Now, we all have our pet ideas of how we can picture some of these things, but the one that is freshest on our mind, is when they were in the Garden of Gethsemane, and when Peter finally saw what they were trying to do to his Lord, what does Peter do? He draws his sword that he was carrying, and cuts off the ear of the servant of the high priest who's name was Malchus. Well was that in agreement in the mind of Christ? No, the Lord wasn’t fighting to protect Himself, and to show Peter how completely wrong he was, the Lord put Malchus’ ear back on miraculously. It was only to show Peter, "Listen, we’re not fighting against this with weapons. I’m not trying to avoid the cross." So He became obedient, and as He said Himself He could have called down 12 legions of angels, and they would have come to His rescue, but He chose not to.
Philippians 2:8b-9a "…and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (but don’t stop there.) 9. Wherefore (because of His total obedience to the plan of the Triune God,) God also has highly exalted Him,…" Now us enlarge on the word exalt. What does it mean? We mean it’s to give Him all the praise that is His due. God Himself has exalted Him.
Philippians 2:9b "…and given Him a name which is above every name:" There’s not a name that has ever been on the planet that came even close to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Now verse 10, and this is going to be the final fruition of everything.
Philippians 2:10a "That at the name of Jesus every knee…" The Hitlers, the Mussolini’s, the Stalin’s, the Napoleon’s, you name it, every one of them is going to stand before Him, fall on their knees, and recognize Who He is.
Philippians 2:10-11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Now when it comes to heir-ship we can’t leave out our own role. We as believers are also called heirs, and we’ll find that in Romans chapter 8. This should be enough to inflate everyone of us to where it’s almost hard for us to stay earth bound, because this is our prospect. This is what’s coming! This is why Paul says, "suffering is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed to us." (This glory is what was around Adam before his rebellion or disobedience and fall into sin and death, taking upon him the nature and character of Satan for us all. This is also the glory which the three disciples saw when they were with the Lord on the Mount.)
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