Philippians 2:8-11- Do This in Remembrance of Me

Scripture:
Philippians 2:8-11, NASB

8) Being found in appearance as a man, He (Christ) humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  
9)  For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

Observation:
-Jesus Christ, appeared on earth as a man.
-In humility He became obedient, even giving up His life according to God's will.
-Because of His willingness to die on the cross God has highly exalted Him.
-God has given honor to Jesus name, there is no other equal to it, someday every knee will bow, whether in delight at meeting their risen Lord, or the confession of one condemned.
-All of this brings glory to God the Father.

Application:
We just celebrated Easter.  What a day to reflect upon.  I have been a believer since I was a little girl.  I have read or heard the story many times.  We get used to the cross.  It sparkles on beautiful necklaces, it adorns our homes, it hangs in many churches.  In truth it was ugly and I honestly cannot imagine the kind of torture that death on a cross was.  I remember watching the Mel Gibson film a few years ago and weeping as I watched our Lord's death so vividly portrayed.  I try to imagine what it must have been like for Mary as she came to the tomb that morning.  From despair to euphoria.  

Aside from Easter I don't know that we spend much time thinking about the cross anymore.  It was mentioned quite a few times in the New Testament epistles, those letters written to the Church:

1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Galatians 5:11
But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

Galatians 6:12
Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:14
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Ephesians 2:16
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

Philippians 3:18
For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,

Colossians 2:14
having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 2:24
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

And if we look up the word crucified we get a few more references to add:

1 Corinthians 1:23
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:8
the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

2 Corinthians 13:4
For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Galatians 3:1
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

Galatians 5:24
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 6:14
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Revelation 11:8
And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

We don't spend much time talking about the cross in the Protestant church today, at least not in my experience.  Very rarely do we share the Lord's Supper together.  It seems to be relegated to a quarterly affair quite often.  I think we have lost something.  The cross is of supreme importance, without it we have no life, we have no hope, we have no reason to celebrate.  It is the very basis of our faith.  I am just wondering out loud here, I don't have an answer, but which do you think is more pleasing to God, more music (oh and how I love to sing!), longer sermons, children's sermons, inspirational video...insert whatever else we do on Sundays ot taking time to "break bread together."  They did it often in the New Testament church, it was a part of their life when they came together as believers, even within their homes.   

Acts 2:42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:46
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.


Perhaps it is not meant to be reserved for special observances, or to follow a calendar.  Perhaps the cross is something we need to put back into our everyday lives.  
Luke 22:19
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1 Corinthians 11:24
and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”



Grace and Peace,
Deb

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