The Path Down Is the Way Up
How does God bring true exaltation in the Christian life? Philippians 2:8–11 reveals that the path of humility, obedience, and self-denial is the very path God uses to accomplish His greatest purposes.
The Depth of Christ’s Humility
If you want to understand the heart of Christianity, don’t start with how high Jesus is exalted — start with how low He went. This passage deserves its own series, its own book. I can’t unpack the treasures in a short devotional, so I hope this taste will whet your appetite for more. Dig deep into this packed treasure chest. This one sentence should stop us in our tracks:
“He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
The cross was not only painful; it was shameful and public humiliation. I finished writing this devotional on the heels of Easter, and this year in particular, the brutality of what Jesus suffered when arrested and then crucified has drilled deeply into my heart. The more I learn and spend time thinking about the horror Jesus willingly experienced, the more it draws me deeper into His heart and love. I see why Paul wants us to feel the weight of it: the Holy One, nailed to wood, mocked by sinners, bearing wrath that was not His own.
Why? Because it’s in the horror we see a deliberate, covenant-keeping, costly love.
Here are the three threads woven through this passage: humility, obedience, and self-denial.
Humility: Jesus did not assert His rights. He laid them down.
Obedience: Jesus submitted to the Father’s will, even when it meant suffering (Luke 22:42).
Self-denial: Jesus refused rescue in order to rescue us.
The Upside-Down Way of the Gospel
Women, we are often tempted to believe joy comes from avoiding suffering, controlling outcomes, and protecting our comfort. But the gospel shows us something entirely different: resurrection joy comes through cruciform living. There is no “therefore God exalted him” (Philippians 2:9) without “he humbled himself” (Philippians 2:8).
And that is not only theology for Easter Sunday but also Monday-morning faith.
When Life Feels Like a Downward Path
Some of you are in a season where the path feels downward: your influence seems smaller, your strength feels weaker, your prayers feel unanswered, and your sacrifices feel unseen. Friends, the downward path is not proof that God is absent. In Christ, the downward path can become the place where God is doing His deepest work.
Notice the outcome. “Therefore God exalted him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:9–11). Jesus’ humiliation was not the end of the story. The Father vindicated the Son. The cross did not defeat Him; it displayed Him.
What This Means for Your Life
So what does this mean for unity and joy?
It means unity grows when we stop seeking our own exaltation. When we choose humility over competition, obedience over preference, and self-denial over self-protection; and when we fail — as we will — we run to the cross, but not to despair. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). Such forgiveness, purchased by the blood of Jesus, gives us strength to persevere as God continues to sanctify us.
You can walk by faith in hard places because Jesus walked into the hardest place — God’s judgment against sin — and He came out the other side with victory. If Christ is Lord, then your suffering, fear, or circumstances are not lord, only Jesus is Lord. And because He is Lord, you can choose the path of humble obedience today and trust the Father with the outcome.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
• When you feel invisible, remember: the Father sees. He exalted the humbled Christ, and He will not forget your labor: For God is not unjust to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do (Hebrews 6:10).
• Practice one “downward” choice today: yield the last word, forgive, serve, obey promptly.
• Confess one area of pride and receive cleansing: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself for me. You obeyed where I have resisted. You denied Yourself to save me. Teach me Your ways. In my hard places, anchor me in Your lordship and fill me with quiet joy. Make me a woman who chooses humility, obedience, and self-denial for the glory of God. Amen.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
