Appearances are Deceiving

“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. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philip. 2:5-11

Usually when you think of a lord or a great ruler, you envision a person of great power, with commanding presence and dignified bearing.

He lives in magnificent wealth and runs his vast household and business affairs with unquestioned authority. Everyone gives him glory and reveres the very ground he walks on.

This wasn’t so with the Lord Jesus. In fact, the very opposite was true. Jesus gave up the grandeur of heaven - veiling His glory in the flesh of a human being - in order to live with us for a time on earth.

Born in a lowly cattle stall, Jesus did not live the soft life. He learned carpentry and earned a working man’s wage, never knowing the comforts of the contemporary Roman rulers. And though many acknowledged Him as Savior, Jesus certainly never enjoyed the popularity and honor that are His due.

Finally, He hung naked and bleeding on a crude cross like a common criminal. Was this a picture of a reigning, sovereign Lord?
Absolutely. Appearances here were certainly deceiving.

Three days later, He rose again. Someday everyone will see the true picture and worship Him as Almighty God. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will pronounce Him the King of Kings.