Nobody likes to lose. We’re wired to avoid it. Whether it’s a game, an argument, a career move, or just the image we present to the world—we want to win. We want to come out on top, to prove ourselves, to be recognized. Losing feels like failure.
But in Philippians 2, Paul gives us a different picture.
Jesus—the one who actually deserved glory—chose the path of humility. He emptied Himself, took on flesh, became a servant, and willingly walked to the cross. He didn’t just lose; He chose to lose. He embraced suffering, rejection, and death itself.
And then, verse 9. "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name..."
That therefore is the hinge of the story.
Jesus wasn’t exalted because He overpowered His enemies. He wasn’t lifted up because He fought His way to the top. He was exalted because He humbled Himself. The cross wasn’t an obstacle to glory—it was the very road to it.
This flips everything upside down. In our world, exaltation comes to those who fight for it, who prove themselves, who refuse to lose. But in the Kingdom of God? The way up is down. The greatest is the servant. The first is last. Life comes through death.
And this isn’t just about Jesus. Paul starts this whole section by telling us:
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)
The humility of Jesus isn’t just something to admire—it’s something we’re called to live. Which means:
We don’t grasp for power. We lay it down.
We don’t demand to win. We embrace the cross.
We don’t exalt ourselves. We trust God to do that in His way, in His time.
The world will never understand this. But the Kingdom runs on different rules. The cross looked like loss, but it was the path to victory. And the same Jesus who humbled Himself now reigns over all.
So today, if humility feels like losing, if serving feels small, if obedience to Jesus costs you something—take heart. The therefore is coming.
Peace,
Nick
But in Philippians 2, Paul gives us a different picture.
Jesus—the one who actually deserved glory—chose the path of humility. He emptied Himself, took on flesh, became a servant, and willingly walked to the cross. He didn’t just lose; He chose to lose. He embraced suffering, rejection, and death itself.
And then, verse 9. "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name..."
That therefore is the hinge of the story.
Jesus wasn’t exalted because He overpowered His enemies. He wasn’t lifted up because He fought His way to the top. He was exalted because He humbled Himself. The cross wasn’t an obstacle to glory—it was the very road to it.
This flips everything upside down. In our world, exaltation comes to those who fight for it, who prove themselves, who refuse to lose. But in the Kingdom of God? The way up is down. The greatest is the servant. The first is last. Life comes through death.
And this isn’t just about Jesus. Paul starts this whole section by telling us:
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)
The humility of Jesus isn’t just something to admire—it’s something we’re called to live. Which means:
We don’t grasp for power. We lay it down.
We don’t demand to win. We embrace the cross.
We don’t exalt ourselves. We trust God to do that in His way, in His time.
The world will never understand this. But the Kingdom runs on different rules. The cross looked like loss, but it was the path to victory. And the same Jesus who humbled Himself now reigns over all.
So today, if humility feels like losing, if serving feels small, if obedience to Jesus costs you something—take heart. The therefore is coming.
Peace,
Nick