[Jesus Christ] humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11
Unimaginable Humility
A homeless man sits next to the exhaust vent at the local dry cleaners. It’s a good spot, one of the best in town for staying warm through a brisk fall night. As a local lawyer arrives to pick up his suits from the previous week, he reaches into his pocket and hands the homeless man a $20 bill. A couple of hours later, an investment banker comes by and invites the man to lunch. He spends a good hour talking to the man, and of course, picks up the tab. Later in the day a woman pulls up in her Mercedes and sees the man taking a nap. She gently nudges him on the shoulder and asks him his name. She then gives him the keys to her Mercedes and tells him that the garage door opener is on the visor and that her purse with all her cash, credit cards, and account numbers is on the passenger seat. He can have it all, if only she can have his cardboard seat cushion and spot next to the exhaust fan.
The first two scenarios are believable. The last one is unimaginable. Yet, Jesus Christ did something even more inconceivable. He left God’s side in the heavenly realms to be born into our world as a human being. He made himself nothing so that we could be something. He took on our nature, carried our sins, and suffered on the cross, so that we could be with him forever. Jesus did this not only to be the greatest example of humility, but to offer his life for sinners—to give his righteousness for our unrighteousness.
Jesus has done it all. Now those who live in his kingdom of grace and mercy are called to imitate his humility in their lives. How might you do that today?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, send your Holy Spirit into my heart and comfort me with your love, so that I can imitate your humility in my everyday life. Amen.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11
There’s No Denying It!
“There’s no denying it. He’s the best there ever is, the best there ever was, the best there ever will be.” Do you ever find yourself making statements like this? It happens all the time with sports fans. For example, who is the greatest basketball player of all time? Jordan? Kobe? LeBron? Fans will argue whatever data fits their side. “He had more championships” or “The league was tougher during that era” or whatever else they can think of. But whether we’re talking about sports, military generals, brainiacs, or business tycoons, there isn’t anyone that EVERYONE agrees is, was, and always will be the greatest of all time.
To be honest, the same is true even when it comes to religion. Every religion promotes its teaching or its figurehead as the best. As a Christian, it’s not a secret that I say that about Jesus. Hands down, without a doubt in my mind and heart, Jesus is the best. But let me plead my case. Jesus did what no one else could possibly do. Jesus lived a flawless life, a life of complete perfection, a life that he gave up so that his perfection could be gifted to you and me. However, Jesus didn’t stay dead. After three days, Jesus rose from the grave and walked out of his tomb, alive. He defeated death, an enemy that no man could but he, the God-Man, did.
Until Jesus returns, religious people will continue to make their claims about their side being right and others being wrong. But there will come a day when there will be no denying it—Jesus is the best.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, keep me faithful in confessing your name until the day when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that you are Lord. Amen.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:9
A Name Above All Others
A podcast I listen to regularly takes the time every week to read a Medal of Honor citation. The Medal of Honor is given for acts of valor, acts so heroic that the recipient often lost his life for his actions on the battlefield to save his fellow soldiers. I appreciate taking the time to hear those names and what they did. It allows me to reflect and give thanks to God for the many who have sacrificed so much for my peace and prosperity.
In our Bible verse today, we are reminded of a name that cannot and will not be forgotten, a “name that is above every name,” the name Jesus. This name literally means, “God saves.”
Jesus saved you and me not just with one act of valor. No, it was a lifetime! He did what we couldn’t even imagine. He lived his life perfectly. He never allowed his heart to lust. He never took something that didn’t belong to him. He never threw a punch in a burst of anger or even uttered a word out of hate. He never told a lie to hide imperfection. He didn’t have any. He never whispered gossip about another to make himself feel more important. Not once. He was and is perfect.
But then he did something even more amazing: he let himself be killed on a cross so that his perfect life would be gifted to you and to me. He died so that when God looked at us, God wouldn’t see our guilt and shame. No, he would only see the perfection of Jesus.
Talk about an act of valor! What a name! What a Savior! What a gift we have been given! May we cherish Jesus every single day! May we never forget that because of his sacrifice we have been saved from an eternity of pain. And with each day God gives us, may we honor him in the way we live.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself for me and are now exalted above all. Keep me humble in service and confident in your victory. Amen.
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1 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scornful son does not listen to a reprimand. 2 From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life. Whoever opens his lips carelessly ruins himself. 4 The appetite of a lazy person craves things, but he gets nothing. The appetite of hardworking people is fully satisfied. 5 A righteous person hates everything false, but a wicked person causes disgrace and shame. 6 Righteousness guards a person who has integrity, but wickedness perverts a sinner. 7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing. Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth. 8 A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man does not hear a threat. 9 The light of the righteous brings joy, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 10 Insolence produces only strife, but wisdom resides with those who take advice. 11 Wealth gained out of thin air [1] shrinks, but wealth accumulated by steady work grows. 12 Hope delayed makes a heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price, but the person who respects a command will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life. It can turn someone away from the snares of death. 15 Good sense yields grace, but the way of the treacherous is unchanging. [2] 16 Every sensible person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays stupidity. 17 A wicked [3] messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. 18 A person who ignores discipline ends up with poverty and shame, but one who conforms to correction will be honored. 19 A desire that is fulfilled tastes sweet to the soul, but to fools it is disgusting [4] to turn from evil. 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. 21 Trouble pursues sinners, but goodness repays the righteous. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. 23 The farmland of the poor may produce much food, but it may be swept away by injustice. 24 A person who withholds his rod hates his son, but one who loves him administers discipline promptly. 25 A righteous person eats until his appetite is satisfied, but the stomach of the wicked is always empty.
More Wise Ways to Live
Proverbs 14
1 A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 2 Whoever walks in the right way fears the Lord, but a person who is devious in his ways despises him. 3 In the mouth of a stubborn fool there is a proud rod, [5] but the lips of the wise protect them. 4 Without cattle the manger is empty, but a great harvest is gained by the strength of an ox. 5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes lies. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. 7 Keep away from a foolish person, since you will not learn anything from his lips. 8 The wisdom of a sensible [6] person is that he understands his way, but the stupidity of fools is deceptive. [7] 9 Fools scoff at the idea of guilt, [8] but favor is found among the upright. 10 A heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will thrive. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is the road to death. 13 Even in laughter a heart can ache, and the end of joy may be grief. 14 A backslider [9] will be satisfied with his ways, [10] and a good man will be satisfied with his. 15 A gullible person trusts anything, but a sensible person considers his steps. 16 A wise person fears and turns from evil, but a fool is rash and overconfident. 17 A short-tempered person acts foolishly, and a schemer is hated. 18 Gullible people inherit stupidity, but sensible people embrace knowledge. 19 Evil people will bow down to good people, and wicked people will bow at the gates of the righteous. 20 A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love a rich person are many. 21 A person who despises his neighbor is sinning, but one who is kind to the oppressed is blessed.
Footnotes
Proverbs 13:11 Or dishonestly. A variant in the versions is too quickly.
Proverbs 13:15 Or inescapable. The Hebrew reads the way of the treacherous always flows (that is, it is enduring). The translation above attempts to make sense of this difficult reading without emendation. Common emendations are to add the word not to the sentence (the way of the treacherous does not endure) or to change enduring to hard.
Proverbs 13:17 Or an unreliable
Proverbs 13:19 Or an abomination
Proverbs 14:3 The meaning of a proud rod is uncertain, but there is no textual support for the common emendation, a rod for his back.
14 Without guidance people fall, but in many advisors there is safety. 15 Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger leads to trouble, but one who hates to shake hands [1] remains secure. 16 A gracious woman takes hold of honor, but ruthless men take hold of riches. [2] 17 A merciful man benefits his own soul, but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh. 18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. 19 Just as righteousness leads to life, pursuing evil leads to death. 20 Perverted hearts are disgusting to the Lord, but his favor rests on those whose way has integrity. 21 Be sure of this: An evil person will not go unpunished, but the children of the righteous will escape. 22 The beauty of a woman who lacks moral judgment is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. 23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good. The hope of the wicked leads to fury. 24 One person scatters his wealth, but it still increases. Another hoards it unjustly, but this leads only to poverty. 25 A person who spreads blessings will be enriched. One who gives a refreshing drink will be refreshed. 26 People curse the person who hoards grain, but a blessing rests on the head of one who sells it. 27 Whoever searches for good seeks favor, but whoever pursues evil will find it. 28 Whoever trusts his wealth will fall, but righteous people will flourish like green plants. 29 Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind, and a stubborn fool will be a slave to a person with a wise heart. 30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and one who harvests souls is wise. 31 If a righteous person is paid back on earth, how much more a wicked person or a sinner!
More Examples of Righteous Behavior
Proverbs 12
1 A person who loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid. 2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a schemer. 3 A person cannot be made secure by wickedness, but the roots of the righteous will never be uprooted. 4 A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones. 5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouths of the upright will save them. 7 Wicked people are overthrown, and they are no more, but the house of the righteous continues to stand. 8 A person is praised for the good sense that he speaks, but a person with a twisted heart will be despised. 9 Better to be underestimated and have a servant than to pretend to be wealthy and lack bread. 10 A righteous person understands the needs of his livestock, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11 A person who works his land will have enough food, but whoever pursues fantasies lacks sense. 12 A wicked man covets the fortress [3] of evil people, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13 The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person, but a righteous person gets out of trouble. 14 From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good, and the labor of a person’s hands returns to him. 15 The way of a stubborn fool seems correct to him, but whoever listens to advice is wise. 16 A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known, but a sensible person overlooks an insult. 17 Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness, but a lying witness is deceitful. 18 Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips are established forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 Deceit lies in the heart of those who plot evil, but for those who promote peace there will be joy. 21 No disaster will strike a righteous person, but wicked people are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord, but those who act truthfully gain his favor. 23 A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge, but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity. 24 Hardworking hands will rule, but laziness results in forced labor. [4] 25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but a good word brings him joy. 26 A righteous person guides his neighbor, [5] but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 A lazy person does not roast his game, but a diligent person uses his wealth wisely. 28 In the path of righteousness there is life, and there is no death in following this path. [6]
Footnotes
Proverbs 11:15 Or make a deal
Proverbs 11:16 The Greek text has a longer double proverb here: A gracious woman takes hold of honor, ⎣and she who hates virtue sets up a throne for dishonor. The lazy become destitute,⎦ but ruthless men take hold of riches.
Proverbs 12:12 Or net. The verse is difficult and the meaning is uncertain.
Proverbs 12:24 Or leads to debtor’s prison
Proverbs 12:26 Or is cautious in friendship or works to learn about his friend
Proverbs 12:28 The translation follows the main Hebrew reading. A variant in some Hebrew manuscripts and the ancient versions reads and another path leads to death.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2 Treasures gained by wickedness produce no profit, but righteousness saves from death. 3 The Lord will not allow the righteous to starve, but he frustrates the greed of the wicked. 4 Lazy hands produce poverty, but hardworking hands bring riches. 5 Whoever gathers crops in summer is a sensible [1] son. Whoever sleeps at harvest time is a disgraceful [2] son.
Wise Words and Wise Ways
6 Blessings crown the head of a righteous person, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. [3] 7 To remember a righteous person is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 A wise heart accepts commands, but a babbling fool will be ruined. 9 Whoever walks with integrity walks safely, but whoever follows crooked ways will be found out. 10 Whoever winks at evil causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined. 11 The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. [4] 12 Hatred stirs up a quarrel, but love covers all sins. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a discerning person, but a rod is appropriate for the back of one who lacks sense. 14 Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of a stubborn fool brings ruin. 15 A rich person’s wealth is his strong city. Poverty is the ruin of poor people. 16 The work of a righteous person leads to life. The income of a wicked person leads to sin. 17 Whoever practices discipline is on the path to life, but whoever rejects a warning goes astray. 18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads gossip is a fool. 19 When there are many words, sin never stops, [5] but a person who restrains his lips acts wisely. 20 The tongue of a righteous person is fine silver. The heart of a wicked person has little value. 21 The lips of a righteous person shepherd many, but stubborn fools die for lack of sense. 22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person wealthy, and he adds no sorrow to it. [6] 23 Carrying out a wicked scheme is a game for the fool, but wisdom gives pleasure to a person with understanding.
Contrasts Between the Righteous and the Wicked
24 What the wicked person dreads will come upon him, but the Lord will grant what the righteous desire. 25 When the storm has passed, the wicked person is no more, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation. 26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, so is a lazy person to those who send him. 27 The fear of the Lord will add days to a person’s life, but the years of wicked people will be cut short. 28 The confident hope of the righteous is joy, but the ambitions of the wicked will perish. 29 The way of the Lord is a fortress for a person who has integrity, but it brings destruction for evildoers. 30 A righteous person will never be toppled, [7] but wicked people will not dwell on earth. 31 The mouth of a righteous person produces the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, [8] but the mouth of the wicked produces depraved words.
Righteous Behavior
Proverbs 11
1 Dishonest scales are disgusting [9] to the Lord but an accurate weight wins his approval. 2 When arrogance comes, shame follows, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the dishonesty of the treacherous destroys them.
Footnotes
Proverbs 10:5 Or far-sighted
Proverbs 10:5 Or an embarrassing
Proverbs 10:6 Or the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
Proverbs 10:11 Or the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
Proverbs 10:19 Or cannot be avoided
Proverbs 10:22 Or hard work adds nothing to it or worry adds nothing to it
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has already set her table. 3 She has sent out her servant girls. She calls from the highest point in the city, 4 “Whoever is naïve, [1] let him turn in here.” To someone who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine that I have mixed. 6 Abandon your naïve ways and live. Travel the road to understanding.”
Lady Wisdom’s Proverbs
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults, and whoever warns a wicked person invites abuse. 8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. Warn a wise person, and he will love you. 9 Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning [2] of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding, 11 because through me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage. But if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
Lady Folly’s Banquet
13 The woman Folly is boisterous. She is deluded. She knows nothing. 14 She sits at the doorway of her house, on a throne on the heights of the city, 15 in order to call to those who pass by on the street, those who are simply going along on their way, 16 “Whoever is gullible, let him turn in here.” To someone who lacks sense she says, 17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is delicious.” 18 But he does not know that the souls of the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell. [3]
Footnotes
Proverbs 9:4 Or inexperienced or gullible
Proverbs 9:10 Or prerequisite or most important part
1 Do you hear Wisdom calling out? Do you hear Understanding raising her voice? 2 On the hills above the roads, she takes her stand at the crossroads. 3 Beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrance to the doorways, she cries out: 4 I call to you men, and I raise my voice to the people. 5 You gullible people, get good judgment. [1] You fools, take this to heart. 6 Listen, because I am speaking noble thoughts. I open my lips to speak upright things, 7 for my mouth declares truth, but wickedness is disgusting [2] to my lips. 8 All the words from my mouth are righteous. There is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 9 All of them are clear to those who have understanding, and they are upright to those who find knowledge. 10 Accept my discipline instead of silver. Accept knowledge rather than fine gold, 11 because Wisdom is better than gems, [3] and anything you may desire cannot equal her.
Wisdom’s Benefit
12 I, Wisdom, dwell with good judgment. [4] I discover knowledge and foresight. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. I hate haughtiness, arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth. 14 Good advice and sound judgment are mine. I, Understanding, have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers administer justice. 16 By me officials govern, as well as nobles and all just judges. 17 I certainly love those who love me, and those who eagerly look for me find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, as well as enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, better than pure gold, and what I produce is better than fine silver. 20 I walk on the path of righteousness, down the middle of the pathways of justice, 21 so I can provide a rich inheritance to those who love me, and I can fill their treasuries.
Wisdom Is the Craftsman of Creation
22 The Lord possessed [5] me at the beginning of his way, before his works of long ago. 23 From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before the origin of the earth. 24 When there were no deep waters, I was brought forth, [6] when there were no springs filled with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 when he had not yet made land or fields or the first dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he drew the horizon around the surface of the deep, 28 when he placed the clouds in the sky above, when the fountains of the deep gushed out, 29 when he established his decree for the sea, so that the waters could not go beyond the limit set by his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 I was beside him as a master craftsman. I was his joy day after day. I rejoiced in his presence at all times. 31 I rejoiced in his inhabited world. I was delighted with the children of Adam. [7]
Wisdom Is the Giver of Life
32 So now, you children, listen to me, because those who keep my ways are blessed. 33 Listen to discipline and become wise. Do not neglect it. 34 How blessed is the person who listens to me, so that he can watch at my doors day after day, so that he can stand guard beside my front door, 35 because whoever finds me finds life, and he obtains favor from the Lord, 36 but whoever sins against me harms himself. All who hate me love death.
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“Every minister of the gospel needs encouragement,” says Kevin Walker, director of staff ministry at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn. “So a once-a-year conference provides the opportunity for […]
In late August, Daniel Kroll and Stephen Gerling and their families arrived in Dakar, Senegal. They are the first WELS missionaries to serve in this area. As WELS works to […]
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God has entrusted the young people of our synod to the spiritual care of Christian parents, pastors, teachers, youth leaders, and fellow believers. At […]
Karl R. Gurgel, the tenth man to serve as president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, was called home to heaven on September 13, surrounded by his wife, Barbara, (pictured […]
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., is investing in a building project for blessings now that have impacts into eternity. Earle Treptow, seminary president, describes why this is the moment […]