Every Knee

“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 2:9-11)

The older I get, the more attention I pay to my knees. I used to give them no thought at all, except maybe when I skinned one as a kid or injured one playing football. But now I’m aware of the relentless wear & tear they suffer, and I don’t take them for granted. As the largest joints in the human body, they are sturdy enough to support me when I stand up, and also flexible enough to bend with every step I take. I command my knee to move with enough strength to kick a ball, yet I can’t control an involuntary reflex to the light touch of a well-place reflex hammer.
My knees also make it possible for me to kneel down to pray on the floor next to my bed each night or in my closet as I start each morning. And this outward physical posture is a reflection of an inward spiritual one: A bowed knee demonstrates a humble heart.
Carl Jung, the famous psychotherapist, used to tell a story about a rabbi. Someone asked the rabbi, “Why did God often show himself to people in ancient times, but today, no one ever sees Him?” The wise rabbi answered, “Because now no one bends low enough to see God.”
Jesus modeled this posture perfectly for us. The apostle Paul writes that even though Jesus could have used His God-nature to His own advantage, “he made Himself nothing and humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross (see Philippians 2:6-8). He didn’t play His “God card.” He stepped down to take on human form, and then He knelt further in the posture of a servant. And when He did, God exalted Him.
We are called to this mindset as well. As God’s sons and daughters in this self-sufficient age, let’s be counter-cultural. Let’s value others above ourselves because we value Christ above all. Together and individually, let’s bend low enough so that we too can get a glimpse of God.
Standing proudly in the presence of someone who is greater will never get us very far. In fact, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Our pursuit of God should always begin on our knees.

Pursuing Today
Read Philippians 2:1-4, highlighting or underlining phrases that describe a humble posture toward others. Pray about some practical ways you can “look to the interests of others” today. Write them down, and commit to doing them. An additional thought: For some of you, getting on your knees to pray will feel more than just physically uncomfortable. There is something humbling about it, and that’s the point. Find a quiet place, get on your knees, and ask God for help. Begin your prayer with these 3 simple words: “I need You . . .”