Life in the Spirit · Evangelism and Mission

Why Does Jesus Deserve to Be Exalted?

8 min read, approximately

“But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him: I charge you by the living God to tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him: You have said [it]. Yet I tell you that from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the power [of God] and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying: He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What do you think? They answered: He deserves death. Then they spat in his face and slapped him, and others struck him with their fists, saying: Prophesy to us, Christ! Who struck you?” (Matthew 26:63-68)

A Little About Us

Most of us tend to cling to traditions, customs, and what we are told. We often defend these at all costs, attributing glory and honor to certain figures without pausing to consider whether God’s Word has established it that way. It is understandable that we do this when we do not know why Jesus Christ should be exalted.

Others wonder why the name of Jesus is used for everything… But beyond all this, the truth is that many of us do not really know who Jesus is.

The Plan Begins

God’s Word records a tremendous prophecy in Isaiah 53:2-12… But before all this happened, the way had to be prepared before him.

“Behold, I send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1)

That is why:

“For this is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.” (Matthew 3:3)

All Right, Who Was This One Coming After John the Baptist?

(If you would like a summary, read after point 8.)

\1. He Was Conceived by the Holy Spirit

“Then the angel said to her: Mary, do not fear, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will call his name JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will have no end. Then Mary said to the angel: How will this happen, since I have not known a man? The angel answered: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the holy one to be born will also be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:30-35)

\2. He Was Baptized

“But Jesus answered him: Allow it now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water. Behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. A voice from heaven said: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:15-17)

\3. He Was Tempted in Every Way and Overcame

“For we do not have a high priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in every way as [we are], [yet] without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

\4. He Healed, Restored, Preached, and Cared for the Crowds

“Jesus went through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and illness among the people. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were helpless and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36)

“Great crowds came to him, bringing people who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others who were sick. They laid them at Jesus’ feet, and he healed them. The crowd marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and they glorified the God of Israel.” (Matthew 15:30-31)

“When evening came, they brought him many who were possessed by demons. He cast out the demons with a word and healed all who were sick, so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: He himself took our infirmities and bore our illnesses.” (Matthew 8:16-17)

\5. He Was Unjustly Accused and Sentenced

“At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. When they had gathered, Pilate said to them: Whom do you want me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ? For he knew they had handed him over out of envy. While he was seated on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message: Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I have suffered greatly in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor asked them: Which of the two do you want me to release to you? They said: Barabbas. Pilate said: What, then, shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ? They all said: Let him be crucified. The governor said [to them]: Why? What wrong has he done? But they shouted all the more: Let him be crucified.” (Matthew 27:16-23)

\6. He Bore Humanity’s Sin to the Point That God Forsook Him… He Was Alone

“Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots.” (Luke 23:34)

“The robbers crucified with him also insulted him in the same way. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness covered the whole land. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:44-46)

\7. He Died and Rose Again

“Then they left the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. As they went to bring the news to his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying: Greetings! They came to him, clasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them: Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:8-10)

\8. He Ascended to Heaven

“After the Lord had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)

And 9. Ultimately

“When you were dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive together with him, forgiving you all your sins. He canceled the record of decrees against us that stood opposed to us, removing it and nailing it to the cross. Having disarmed the principalities and powers, he exposed them publicly, triumphing over them on the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15)

In Summary

“Let the same mindset be in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to cling to, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming like human beings. Being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God also exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, 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)

That is why:

“Whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

But the truth is:

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” (John 16:24)

Now… what do you think? Do you believe Jesus deserves to be exalted for coming to give us life and life in abundance (John 10:10), for being our Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6), for giving us salvation (Romans 10:8-9), and for being our Advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1)?
Does Jesus Deserve Our Exaltation?

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May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!