The Humbled and Exalted Christ Our Pattern of Everlasting Greatness

This world has a way of selling greatness as the personal glory of oneself. Its "greatness" is about striving to be on the top at all cost, a “dog-eat-dog” world with “no second place.” One might value another person, so long as the other person has something to offer for the exaltation of the self. Yet, this vain path to greatness only ends with the one on top being knocked off by someone else seeking after self glorification. Jesus Christ, however, followed a different path to everlasting greatness.
The Apostle Paul wrote,

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:5-11).

The incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ serve as a pattern of greatness for all of God’s people. It is central to all Christian spirituality. Those who humble themselves God shall exalt at the proper time. Entrance into the kingdom of God is not by some great feat or good deed; rather, it begins with the humble recognition of one’s own sin and need for salvation. The same pattern carries on into life inside God’s kingdom. Conformity to Christ means the Christian is to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard others as more important than oneself (Phil. 2:3).

He has risen!

He has risen, indeed!