March 24, 2013 - Humble King

Americans have a problem with entitlement. We seem to think we deserve just about anything and everything:

·         Our Big Mac better come out fast and piping hot because we are entitled to good service.

·         We better get a big tax return because the government really owes us a lot.

·         We need to be recognized for our accomplishments and achievements.  We deserve it!  If not, it would be really rude.

·         We can do what we want and say what we want because this is a free country and I’m entitled to a happy life of freedom.

How strange is this King we see riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday! Paul explains in our daily devotion today how extraordinary Jesus’ actions were.

Jesus was God. Jesus is God. He will always be God. Yet he did not consider his divinity something to be flaunted or used for his advantage. (How different than today’s celebrities and athletes and politicians!) Instead, Jesus humbled himself and set aside the full and continual use of his powers as he took on the form of a servant. In fact, Jesus was so humble that he became obedient to death on a cross–the most gruesome and cursed way to die at the time!

But there was a reason for all of this: Our salvation! Jesus humbled himself so that he could take our place and pay for all our sins.

There were two results from this as well. First, Jesus did pay for all our sins, win forgiveness for us, and give us the gift of eternal life. Secondly, God exalted him above all others.

Yes, our King is so great and grand that come the Last Day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Even the devil and all his demons and unbelievers in hell will have to bow and confess that Jesus is Lord and King of all on the Last Day.

Give thanks to Jesus that he humbled himself for you, and will be exalted and praised by you now and for all eternity!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, it was for me and my sins that you humbled yourself to the point of death on a cross. You have taken my place. You have redeemed me. You have saved me. Give me knees that fall in humble adoration and lips that sing your praises, now and forever. Amen.

From the blog of Pastor Phil Huebner