No matter how many famous people you’ve met, this one tops them all
By Dean Collins
How many famous people have you met? What were they famous for doing?
I suspect the people we call famous have notoriety for being associated with a winner. The coach with the 0-11 record doesn’t get the big contract. The actor who has never had a role in a successful movie is not signed for the next blockbuster. The politician who never can get elected at any level is not on the fundraiser invitation list. These people may be wonderful, but they have little fame and even less power.
I’ve never really had a desire to meet famous people, but I’ve met quite a few. They include sports stars in MLB, NFL, NBA, and PGA; Academy Award winners, presidential candidates, senators and congressmen, CEOs and billionaires, and championship coaches. Their fame is mostly about their accomplishments; their ability to perform at a high level has put them in the spotlight. Their success gives them not only fame but also even power and usually wealth—for a season. You might argue that some didn’t deserve their fame or wealth and for others you might say, “Good for them. They worked hard and it paid off.”
Only one
For a moment and sometimes for years these famous people are remembered and revered. But none of their names will be remembered forever. Their wealth will be spent or given away. Their names will no longer be in headlines.
But one name will remain. Many celebrities had humble beginnings, but this name and this one was different. He always had a big name and all power. He was in the beginning with God. And yet he chose humility, servitude, and submission as his platform instead of power and dominance. All the position and privilege due him he willingly gave up.
He was born to an unknown young virgin in a manger in Bethlehem. He left power and glory to inhabit the flesh of mortals. Like everyone born before him, he grew from infancy through youth and into adulthood. He lived with an everyday family. He not only saw but experienced poverty. He chose to become a slave to the human experience and he chose to give his life as a payment for all sins for all people for all time. He allowed himself to be crucified like a criminal or traitor. He didn’t resist.
Only Savior
The apostle Paul uses words and phrases in Philippians 2 that probably were lyrics to an early Christian hymn about Christ our Savior. Oh, there were powerful leaders then like powerful leaders now who want to be known and revered as a savior. But Jesus actually chose to be a Savior, not by rhetoric but by demonstration. He bore our shame and sin on the cross to release us from our bondage and to give us forgiveness, freedom, wholeness, and eternal life.
The result of all this is that God honored his son’s obedience, his humility, his sacrifice and gave him a name that is above every name. The name of Jesus has been around for more than 2,000 years and will be known forever. God has exalted him above all others. He is the first and the last, the alpha and omega. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. And at his name every knee will one day bow and every tongue affirm and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Fame fades in every case and every situation except one, Jesus. Bow down before him, love and adore our Savior, our Lord, our hope, and our peace.
Lord, in this season of Advent we surrender our lives to you. We are overwhelmed by your love for us. We set aside any and every desire to be known as or for anything other than simply your children. Thank you for your gift of a Savior. We offer ourselves back to you to be used for your glory and to extend your kingdom in every way and in every place.
Amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Philippians 2:1-11 ESV
Photo by Ahmed Hasan on Unsplash
