Royalty recognized

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, . . . [and] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  — Philippians 2:10-11

As a kid, I loved watching the film Little Lord Fauntleroy. The story focuses on Cedric, a boy growing up in Brooklyn. He discovers the stunning news that he is actually the direct descendant of the Earl of Dorincourt and the heir of a vast fortune. One day he’s a nobody playing “kick the can” on the streets of New York, and then suddenly he’s traveling through an English town to the cries of “Your lordship!” from adoring villagers.

If you had seen Jesus playing in the streets of Nazareth as a boy, you wouldn’t have taken any special notice of Him (except that He probably wasn’t playing “kick the can”). If you had seen Him in the carpentry shop, you wouldn’t have had a clue about His deity. And if you had seen Him hanging on the cross, that horrific scene wouldn’t have enticed your heart to adore Him if you didn’t know what was behind it.

But in His resurrection, Jesus revealed His true identity. He is the conquering King — ultimate royalty! Since “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” (Phil. 2:9), how much more should we adoringly worship Him who, in such surrendered humility, died so that He could become our victorious King!

                                         — Joe Stowell

Behold Him there! The risen Lamb!

My perfect, spotless righteousness;

The great, unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace.

                                               — Bancroft

READ: Philippians 2:5-11

Recognize and respond to the royalty of God — worship Him!

The Bible in one year

• Psalms 94-96

• Romans 15:14-33