The Cross Overturns the World's Values
The Cross Overturns the World's Values
Thursday
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and 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 (ESV)
— Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
Reflect:
The ancient world believed that prosperity proved divine favor and suffering proved divine rejection. Jesus demolished this assumption on the cross. God revealed His greatest love not through power displays but through weakness, not through triumph but through apparent defeat. The resurrection vindicated what the cross accomplished: true power flows through humble surrender, true victory comes through sacrificial love. This changes everything about how we view our place in the world's hierarchies. If you find yourself in a position of weakness or submission, you follow the path of Jesus. If you find yourself in a position of strength, you are called to empty yourself as Jesus did. Either way, the cross has redefined what it means to be blessed.
The ancient world believed that prosperity proved divine favor and suffering proved divine rejection. Jesus demolished this assumption on the cross. God revealed His greatest love not through power displays but through weakness, not through triumph but through apparent defeat. The resurrection vindicated what the cross accomplished: true power flows through humble surrender, true victory comes through sacrificial love. This changes everything about how we view our place in the world's hierarchies. If you find yourself in a position of weakness or submission, you follow the path of Jesus. If you find yourself in a position of strength, you are called to empty yourself as Jesus did. Either way, the cross has redefined what it means to be blessed.
Pray:
Lord Jesus, You did not grasp at equality with God but emptied Yourself for me. Free me from measuring my worth by the world's standards of success. Help me embrace the way of the cross—whether that means humble submission or self-emptying leadership. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You did not grasp at equality with God but emptied Yourself for me. Free me from measuring my worth by the world's standards of success. Help me embrace the way of the cross—whether that means humble submission or self-emptying leadership. Amen.
Apply:
Where have you been tempted to believe that worldly success equals God's favor?
Confess this to God and ask Him to reshape your understanding of blessing.
Where have you been tempted to believe that worldly success equals God's favor?
Confess this to God and ask Him to reshape your understanding of blessing.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Every Spiritual BlessingChosen Before Time BeganRedeemed By Precious BloodSealed By the SpiritEmpowered By Resurrection MightSaved From: The Reality of Our Former ConditionSaved To: The Mercy & Love of GodSaved To: A New Position & FutureSaved By: Grace Through FaithSaved For: Good Works Prepared in AdvanceRemember Where You WereThe Power of "But Now"He Himself is Our PeaceAccess to the FatherBuilt Together
February
Receivers of RevelationFellow Heirs TogetherThe Unsearchable RichesStrength for the Inner BeingMore Than We Ask or ThinkThe Therefore of Christian LivingMaintaining the Unity of the SpiritGrace Measured Out in DiversityEquipped for Ministry, Growing Toward MaturityThe Gospel Center of It AllThe New Self & Truthful CommunityThe New Self & Righteous AngerThe New Self & Honest LaborThe New Self & Edifying SpeechThe New Self & Gracious ForgivenessBeloved Children Who ImitateThe Incompatibility of DarknessFrom Darkness to LightLight That Exposes and TransformsAwake, O Sleeper
March
Walk CarefullyRedeem the TimeUnderstand the Will of the LordBe Filled With the SpiritThe Mystery of Marriage and the GospelThe Foundation of the FamilyThe Beauty of Willing SubmissionThe Standard of Sacrificial LoveThe Profound MysteryLeave, Be Joined, Become OneSubmission as WorshipLeadership as StewardshipWorking for an Unseen EmployerThe Cross Overturns the World's Values
No Comments