THE GREATEST NAME

Paul says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross."

Reference: Philippians 2:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."

Jesus is fully God. He is God the Son sent to us in human form to save mankind. His death on the cross was a sacrifice for the sins of all of humanity but it was only possible because He emptied Himself and did not consider His equality with God, taking the form of a servant in order to serve others. Not only that, He humbled Himself to the point of becoming obedient to death on a cross.

Paul made reference to the truth that Christ did not consider His equality with God. This means that it is hundred percent true that Jesus is equal with God the Father. Strikingly, He came to the earth and made His positional authority as a Deity insignificant, even though He is the creator of all things. Then He humbled Himself as a servant, laying down His life for humankind. Simply put, the timeless truth is He did not think of His equality with God as something to cling, just for our sake.

The Bible says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). This shows that Jesus was fully human on earth. He arrived in the flesh and lived among human beings, though He is fully God. As a result, He experienced pain, agony, tiredness and sufferings. All these were the height of His humility as a full God. He was humiliated and oppressed, yet He did not retaliate, but obediently followed the will of the Father, in order to fulfil His eternal purpose for mankind.

As a result, Jesus was greatly honoured by God and given the ultimate glory and name. Our referenced Scripture says, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." Today, because of this, everyone in heaven, both angelic beings and the saints whose spirits have been made perfect; everyone on earth, which represents those that are alive; and everyone under the earth, which means the underworld, bow their knees at the name of Jesus. This also applies to principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (see Luke 10:17).

Christ's distinctive act of debasing Himself to become a man and willingly suffer disgrace and humiliation to the point of death on the cross earned Him the greatest Name in heaven, on earth and under the earth. Therefore today's Scripture is letting us know that we have been given the greatest Name, which is superior to all things - heaven, earth and underworld. It is so powerful that if you use it to decree anything, it will be established for you. All of creation and everything that has a name bow to the Name of Jesus, because God highly exalted the Name above all things. And as born again Christians, we use the Name to exercise our supreme authority here on earth, to the glory of God the Father. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Matthew 1:21; John 14:13; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13.

Guided Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to come in human form and to model true humility through His life here on earth to the point of death. I acknowledge the truth that Jesus lived in obedience and complete dependence on you. Therefore, by your Spirit, I live my daily life to reflect His nature and I use the superior authority vested in His Name to live in dominion over the devil and his minions, over all creation and over all the corrupting influences of this world. My joy is complete by being like-minded with Christ, having the love of Christ and being one in spirit with divinity, in Jesus' Name, Amen!