It Starts Small

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

God exalted him

Christ’s humiliation and subsequent exaltation are intricately woven together, predestined before the dawn of creation. This is the most profound demonstration of the timeless principle found in James 4:10. If you “humble yourselves before the Lord…he will lift you up.” No one has descended from such lofty heights to such depths as Jesus. No one will ever rise from the abyss to the heights He achieved. He began His journey in the highest echelons of the universe. He willingly descended to the lowest rank. He embodied all the sin of humanity throughout time for our sake. Yet, after this incredible act of love and sacrifice, He was elevated once more to the highest position. The Father’s act of exalting His Son magnifies the importance of humility. It also serves as a powerful testament of grace. It is an invitation for us to follow His example.

the name that is above every name

It is profoundly captivating to ponder the meaning behind the “name which is above every name.” Many scholars are convinced it refers to the name “Lord.” They believe it represents Jesus’ unparalleled supremacy over all creation and humanity. This interpretation beautifully aligns with verse 11. It powerfully proclaims that one glorious day “every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

One day, every soul will embrace the undeniable truth: Jesus is Lord! In that glorious moment, all people will lay down their defiance and openly confess His sovereignty. Those who currently mock and malign God will find themselves humbled, kneeling before the King of Kings. Yes, even leaders with notorious pasts like Hitler and Stalin will show reverence. Richard Dawkins will declare, “You are Lord.” Imagine the moment when your relatives scoff at your faith. Your co-workers deride your beliefs. They will all submit to the majesty of Jesus. Every Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, evolutionist, and atheist will unite in affirmation, declaring that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord!

Every single person is called to this profound truth; there’s absolutely no way to evade it. You have an incredible choice today. You can willingly embrace this truth in your life and gain the gift of eternal life. Alternatively, you might face it through force right before the final judgment. Bowing the knee to Jesus isn’t merely a momentary act; it’s a lifelong journey. Yes, salvation is a heart-stirring moment. It occurs when we first humbly bow our knees to Jesus. We confess Him as our Lord. Yet, that’s just the beginning! Living to honor God demands that we submit to His will every single day. We must start each day with acknowledgment of His sovereign authority. Then, apply this acknowledgment to every decision we make. How will you passionately bow your knee to Jesus this week?

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Cross-References:

• Revelation 20:11-13
• Romans 10:9-10
• Philippians 2:12
• James 4:10

Discussion Questions:

• Is there any relationship between Jesus’ humiliation and His exultation?
• What general Biblical principle does this teach?
• What is the name that Paul refers to here?
• Will atheists bow the knee to Christ? When?
• How about Buddhists, Muslims, agnostics, demons, Satan?
• What does bowing the knee signify?
• What will happen to unbelievers after they bow the knee and confess if that doesn’t take place until after their death?
• What happens if we confess now instead of later?
• What, then, should our response be to these truths?

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.