Every Knee Bows

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV).

At the climax of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Nazi culprits show supreme arrogance; they open the Ark of Israel to possess its treasures. Now even the great powers of the Old Testament God will belong to them. Or so they think. But the scene turns quickly from pride to horrific destruction. The onscreen images are bone-chilling, the kind where adults cover the eyes of young children. This is too much like a nightmare; God’s power is scary. He destroys them all! The Biblical truth is not far from this fiction. If the prophetic books were illustrated, you wouldn’t show the pictures to youngsters at bedtime. They tell a story that should thoroughly frighten anyone who thinks God wants to be just a casual friend, or that God doesn’t care what we do. The “Big Buddy” version of God is repeatedly warned against in the Scripture. God is patient, but his patience is not eternal. Fierce and decisive will be God’s way of cleaning up this world’s mess when the time comes. Never imagine you are calling all the shots. God has the power; all lesser powers will someday submit. God’s holy plan leads to peace and joy, but on the way and especially “on that day,” God will triumph over every stubborn enemy. This is the message of the Apostle Paul in our reading today. In the day when Jesus comes and sets up his kingdom on earth, when every enemy is finally vanquished, then “every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord.” For those who have been born again it is a willing exercise. For those who have continued in the stubborn refusal to follow Him, the strong and mighty hand of God will force them to confess. No power is sufficient to withstand that force. They will submit and forever be condemned. My hope and prayer for you is that you will be with those who gladly kneel and praise the name of Jesus as Savior. That ushers us into our greatest moment. Heaven really begins then!