Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11, NIV)
Five weeks is a long time without sleep. So I hope for now that Inbee Park is reveling in what has transpired and resting well. There will come a day, later in July, when what might happen will take over Park’s thinking. Then she may toss and turn all night.
In case you missed it—and if so, that really is a shame—Park won the U.S. Women’s Open on Sunday. It was the third major of the season for the LPGA. It was the third major win of the season for Park. Which means, setting aside the complication of the LPGA having added a fifth major in September just this year, that when Park tees it up at St. Andrews for the Women’s British Open the first weekend of August, she will do so with the chance to win the women’s Grand Slam. It’s a feat that has never been done. And should she do it, the name Inbee Park would become synonymous with the most storied accomplishment the sport has ever known.
For now that connection belongs only to Bobby Jones, who in 1930 captured the older Grand Slam of the U.S. and British Opens and Amateurs all in the same season. You may recall from the movie Stroke of Genius the nervous condition that great run produced in Jones. His hands shook, his eyes glazed over. But ever after, golf fans have known that these two go together: Bobby Jones and Grand Slam.
The name of Jesus also brings us to a place of instant connection. At least it should.
In the glorious passage in Philippians 2, Paul described the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus. His outline includes the servanthood of Jesus unto his sacrifice for us on the cross. But it is the culmination of Paul’s writing in this passage where we will turn our attention today.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Paul wrote, God saw to rewarding Jesus in a place reserved for no other. God exalted his Son to “the highest place,” the throne of a king. And before that exalted place, all of us will come. There, every knee will bow at his name.
You see, the name of Jesus is synonymous with full worth. There is no one else who has earned glory of this magnitude. By his blood, he has bought our salvation; but more than that, he has purchased our praise.
When you think Jesus, think just as readily, You are my unmatchable King, the Anointed One, the Lord. I give you my honor and praise!
—
Jeff Hopper
July 3, 2013
Copyright 2013 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.