This is part of Emptied & Humbled, a movie based Lenten devotional. The whole devotional can be found here.
Lent is about glory. Yes, Lent is all about the “happy ending,” and the “they lived happily ever after.”
This is true in Finding Nemo, and this is true in Philippians.
As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will 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 2:9-11)
Notice the “as a result” comment. As a result of the emptying and as a result of the humbling, God the Father did something. God exalted Jesus and gave him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow: not may bow and not can bow, will bow.
And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why? For the Glory of God the Father.
The glory – even Jesus’ – comes as a result of the suffering.
Just like Marlin found Nemo, just like Nemo learned that his dad loves him and wants what is best for him, and just like Dory found community, they all had to suffer first.
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But this is far more important than knowing that suffering precedes glory.
Don’t miss that you will bow and you will confess. I implore you, empty yourself and humble yourself now. Get right with God. Get right with your family and friends.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)
Lent is the perfect time to remember this – love God. Love others.
But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Did you know I wrote a whole devotional based on Finding Nemo? You can check out Sharing God’s Story with Finding Nemo over at Amazon.
This is part of Emptied & Humbled, a movie based Lenten devotional. The whole devotional can be found here.
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Until next time, God bless.
Simon L Smith