That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Philippians 2:10
As a reporter, I had been sent to do a little report on the local judo club that operated out of a school gymnasium. As I entered the gymnasium where the members of the club were practicing, I noticed the many mats, or tatamis, that were spread about. On each mat, two club members were engaged in practice, each wearing a robe that was held together by a belt. The belts were all of different colours, and I was told that the colour indicated the level of achievement; generally the darker the colour the higher the level of achievement. Because this was a training session, students with white or light coloured belts were matched with students with green or brown belts, so the student with the greater skill could instruct the other on the various moves that were being taught. As they began, the two students would stand at each end of the tatami, and bow deeply toward each other, before engaging in combat. I asked my guide what was the reason for the bow. He told me it was to show respect for opponents. This respect, he pointed out, was very important, regardless of the skill level of the opponent. In judo, he said, everyone receives respect. Showing respect is becoming uncommon in our world today, and nowhere is it becoming more uncommon than in matters related to God and His Son.
Our text tells us that everyone will bow the knee to Jesus. Note that the text does not refer to the Lord Jesus, or to the Lord Jesus Christ, but to Jesus. This is the earthly Name, the personal Name of the Son of God, the Name that His mother used, that His siblings called him, that the disciples often used, although they did learn to call Him Lord. But it was also the Name that the Jewish leaders used as they subjected Him to their false trial, the Name that Pilate had written on the superscription that was nailed to the cross. It was Jesus Who was despised and rejected of men. It was Jesus who the Jews sought to have crucified. And it is to that same Jesus that they must all bow the knee. It is to Jesus that they will pay their respect too late as they realize their great folly in failing to show Him respect when they had opportunity. Joining them will be the infernal host of demons that have thus far devoted their existence to depriving Jesus of his rightful glory and respect.
Bowing the knee to the Lord Jesus at the time of final judgment will be a dreadful event for the rejectors and despisers. But bowing the knee now is a joyous occasion for those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as Saviour. We need not wait until our earthly time is over before bowing before Him. In fact, we do so many times each day, as we pause in praise and thanksgiving, as we do each week when we gather to remember Him. We will join the angels in glory in a coming day, to joyfully bow the knee.
The work of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel has taught us to bow the knee in time, that we might continue to do so in his presence forever. -Jim MacIntosh