November 25th, 2025

Read: Philippians 2:6-11 NRSV

who, though he was in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him
    and gave him the name
    that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

The Pharaohs of Egypt and the Kings of Babylon ruled by force, demanding that their subjects die for them. Jesus turned this model of kingship upside down. He established His right to rule not by taking life, but by giving it. His “coronation” was the moment He allowed Himself to be crowned with thorns.
By taking the weight of our exile and the penalty of our sin upon Himself, He broke the power of the enemy. This is the ultimate proof of God’s goodness: The King died so the subjects could live. We submit to Him today not because we are forced to, like slaves in Egypt, but because His sacrificial love has won our loyalty.

Pray: Jesus, You are my King. Thank You for winning my freedom not with a sword, but with Your sacrifice. I submit to Your rule today, knowing Your leadership is perfect goodness.