Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, – Philippians 2:9
The leader of the Roman superpower during the years of the Apostle Paul’s ministry was Emperor Nero. His infamy and his evil were widely known. However, he held a strange popularity outside of Rome, largely because he was generous with the empire’s money and tended to give cash hand-outs to ordinary people, giving him a “common touch.”
From the rule of Julius Caesar, a cult of emperor worship had arisen in the Roman provinces. By the time of Nero, ultimate allegiance and worship were being demanded, becoming an obligation for everyone. It's no wonder the Christians of the first century had problems giving allegiance, much less worship, to the emperor.
Although fully human, Jesus was not like any other man. He consistently spoke of the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven. Theologian and author Dr. Gordon Fee wrote, “You cannot know anything about Jesus, anything if you miss the kingdom of God.” At the inception of His ministry, Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
His parables and ministry brought glimpses of His eternal kingdom to all who would listen (Matthew 13:44-47; 22:2). Later, as today’s verse says, God exalted Jesus to the place where His Name is above all other names—He is King of kings and Lord of lords forever.
He reigns now!
John Piper writes, “There’s the absolute, all-embracing, all-pervasive rule of God’s providence over all nations at all times and in all places.” Piper says, “His rule at this point is not to build a political or national or earthly civic order. That comes later. His purpose now is to establish his saving dominion in the hearts and lives of the elect from every tribe and tongue and people and nation in the world.”
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