“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father’s will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.” - J.I. Packer
We have seen how Christ obeyed, trusting the Father to bring victory through Him and vindication to Him. Through the obedience of His one and only Son, the Father brought victory through His crucifixion over sin and hell; and through His resurrection over Satan and death.
Now, let’s consider how the Father has worked . . .
B. To bring vindication to Him.
“They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.” - 1 Peter 2:23 (The Message)
Jesus was told obeying the Father’s plan was a mistake by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11); His family (John 7:2-5); and His disciples (Matthew 16:21-22). But He obeyed the plan of the Father and trusted that He would be vindicated as everyone would realize the Father’s plan was right. This is what Paul talks about in verses 9-11.
1. What the Father has done - v. 9
A. He has glorified the person of Jesus - v. 9a
As amazing as is the incarnation - God humbling Himself to take on flesh; it is equally amazing that after paying the price for the sins of the world, this God-man remains God in the flesh!
“After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” - Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
“The type of human nature that each of us possesses is not pure human nature. The true humanity created by God has in our case been corrupted and spoiled. There have only been three pure human beings: Adam and Eve (before the fall), and Jesus. All the rest of us are but broken, corrupted versions of humanity. Jesus is not only as human as we are; He is more human. Our humanity is not a standard by which we are to measure His. His humanity, true and unadulterated, is the standard by which we are to be measured.” - Millard Erickson
Unlike the first Adam, Jesus remained uncorrupted by sin and has, through His sinless sacrifice, undone the power of sin. Having fully paid the penalty for the sin of the entire human race, He has been raised from the dead, and in His humanity, He has been exalted!
“He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” - Colossians 1:18 (NIV)
Jesus is the beginning of the remaking of the human race and the One who leads the way in all creation being made new. Therefore, He holds the position of highest honor in heaven, at the right hand of the Father.
Just what does it mean when the Bible says that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father? Well, as we have already mentioned, it means that He has the honored place in heaven. But it also means something else. Have you ever heard the expression, “Right hand man?” If someone is your “right hand man” it means that people need to go through him to get to you. This is who Christ is to the Father.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6 (NIV)
God the Father acknowledged the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice by raising Him from the dead! He has now ascended to heaven and reigns on high as the sole mediator between God and men.
“For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.” - 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (Amplified)
If you want to have a relationship with the Father you must come to Him through Jesus Christ - the unique person of the universe, the God-man, the one and only Son.
B. He has magnified the name of Jesus - v. 9b
The angel who appeared to Joseph, said about Mary:
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21 (NASB)
The name “Jesus” means the same in Greek as the Hebrew name “Joshua.” “Joshua” means “God is salvation.” So the angel’s message to Joseph was “You shall call His name ‘God is salvation,’ for He will save His people from their sins.”
His name tells us of Jesus’ purpose in the Father’s plan - that it is through Him and Him alone that you and I can be saved.
The fact that God has exalted the name of Jesus above every name tells us Jesus has accomplished all that was required to rescue us from sin, hell, Satan, and death! He is the one and only Savior of the universe.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12 (NIV)
“All but four of the major world religions are based on mere philosophical propositions. Of the four that are based on personalities rather than philosophies, only Christianity claims an empty tomb for its founder. In 1900 B.C. Judaism’s father, Abraham, died. In 483 B.C. Buddhist writings say Buddha died ‘with that utter passing away in which nothing whatever remains behind.’ On June 6, 632 A.D. Mohammed died. In 33 A.D. Jesus died but came back to life appearing to 500 people over a period of 40 days.” - Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict
The fact that the physical body of Jesus has been raised from the dead proves He is more than just a good teacher or a prophet. It proves that He is who He claimed to be - God in the flesh! And now, in His flesh, He has been exalted above all and given a name above all names.
A Muslim became a Christian. His friends asked him why. He replied, “Well, it’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn’t know which way to go; and there at the fork were two men, one dead and one alive. Which one would you turn to?”
But, sadly, not everyone is willing to trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Some choose not to believe.
2. What the Father has determined - vs. 10-11
EVERY knee will bow at the name of Jesus and EVERY tongue will acknowledge Jesus as Lord. In Romans 14:10-12, Paul says this will take place at the final judgment. This is a reference to Isaiah 45:22-24.
“Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name, and I will never go back on my word: ‘Every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to my name.’ The people will declare, ‘The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength.’ And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.” - Isaiah 45:22-24 (NLT)
Paul says that “every knee will bow” and “every tongue confess”:
A. “In heaven” - all the angels, elect and fallen;
B. “On earth” - all the living, believing and unbelieving; &
C. “Under the earth” - all the dead, believing and unbelieving.
But notice the difference between the acknowledgement of Christ’s Lordship made by the believer and the unbeliever (Isaiah 45:22-24). The unbeliever will be ashamed in that day, but not the believer. Why?
“Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” - Romans 10:11 (NIV)
Confessing Christ as Lord today, brings eternal salvation; but waiting to confess Christ as Lord on that day, results in eternal condemnation. Some say there is hope beyond the grave to be saved, but Scripture teaches otherwise.
“Jesus underscores the fact that death seals one’s fate, when He says to the Pharisees, ‘If you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins’ (John 8:24).” - Robert A. Peterson
“In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied ‘. . . between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’” - Luke 16:23-26 (NIV)
By the way, why did Jesus call Lazarus by name but not the rich man?
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32 (NLT)
“I never knew you.” - Matthew 7:23 (NIV)
Universalism is the first lie told by Satan - “You will not surely die.” - Genesis 3:4 (NIV)
“Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)
Conclusion: In 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the US Mail and sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon, but Wilson refused it. The case went to the Supreme court, which said Wilson had to be executed. They said the value of a pardon is determined by its acceptance. If it is refused, there is no pardon.
