King of the Hill is a game that typically involves trying to get to the top of some elevated place or pile. The rules are simple. You want to get on top and stay on top. You grab, push, pull, kick, and trip others to keep them down.
Is this a child’s game, or do adults play it?
Sadly, it seems common that we think putting and holding people down makes us successful. Have we convinced ourselves that this is how to be the best we can be? Do we think it is all part of the unapologetic contention that comes with pursuing prestige, wealth, and power?
All too often we feel better because someone is worse. It is the opposite that is true. When we humble ourselves and elevate others to their potential in Christ, we are doing something amazing.
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He might taste death for everyone” (Heb 2:9, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version ®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved).
He, “being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father” (Phil 2:5-11).
Jesus bore the burden of the cross and our sins as he ascended Calvary (Luke 23:20-33). Reaching the summit and dying, He paid for our victory. Resurrecting, He assured it (1 Cor 15).
The God of all became a servant to all, a sacrifice for all, and is King over all – the true King of the hill (Mark 10:45;1 Tim 2:5-6; 6:13-16).
This is the gospel. We are to let our conduct be worthy of it (Phil 1:27). We are to be “like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:3-5). When we humble ourselves, it is the Lord who will lift us up.
-Van
