The name of Jesus is above all names (see Philippians 2:9). This commendation was given to Jesus because of what He succeeded in doing while He was here on earth. What did Jesus do?
1. He resisted sin.
Jesus was tempted in the same areas we are, yet He never made a mistake (see Hebrews 4:15). Think about the phrase "all points" for a minute. This verse is telling us that that every temptation common to man including lying, stealing, bad thoughts, anger, etc. was thrown at Jesus. Yet He never fell for any of it.
"But Karin, Jesus is God. Of course He was able to stand against sin," you might say. Yes, Jesus is God. However, we have to understand that Jesus did not exist on earth as God but as a man. So that He could become a compassionate High Priest, Jesus came to feel what we feel (see Hebrews 2:16-18). Jesus stripped Himself of the **privileges** of being God. Because He was infused with and perfectly yielded to the Third Person in the Trinity, He performed great miracles.
2. Jesus manifested the perfect will of God everywhere He went.
He told the truth, healed,cast out demons, met financial needs, and more.
3. He suffered the humiliations of a criminal although He was perfect.
He was severely beaten and called a liar yet He never retaliated. Finally, He was hung on a cross between two thieves. Still, He did not think of Himself. "Father, forgive them because they don't know what they are doing," He prayed. He entrusted the care of His mother to the disciple named John when He said: "Woman, behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother."
4. He became sin who knew no sin.
Jesus, who never sinned, became sin itself so that all who believe in Him could have right standing with God. We see lots of pictures of Jesus hanging on a cross but Isaiah prophesied that He would be severely disfigured (see Isaiah 52:14). This was the result of every sin and sickness known to man invading Jesus' body.
5. He took our punishment in Hell.
Oh, the torment Jesus must have suffered at the hands of Satan and his cohorts.
6. He rose in victory and power.
Jesus took the keys to Hell and Death and then made an open display of the devil as a defeated foe (see Ephesians 4:7-9).
Though His brief life on earth could not have been easy, Jesus remained focused on His mission and accomplished what no other had done: the redemption of all mankind.
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Karin Peavy uses her pen to help change lives. She is the author of Hot Chocolate For the Spirit, a new Bible devotional that is chock full of scripture keys that will help you live your best now. Karin also publishes a weekly ezine that reveals the many ways God is moving in your life, sometimes behind the scenes, and perhaps in ways you never imagined. Visit http://www.karinpeavy.com to discover more Bible study resources.
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