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Scripture Reading - Philippians 2v5-11
From its origins as far back as 1960, the present action of “taking a knee” has been used in both military and American football contexts for different purposes. In latter times, since 2016, it has become a symbol of protest against the treatment of African Americans. It has been adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement and been prominent in protests since the unnecessary murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota last month. Many have “taken a knee” in this period, including UK police officers and players of Liverpool FC. To bow the knee is not the act of subservience it once would have been and, in some circumstances, still is, but rather an action of protest and even exaltation!
Irrespective of one’s views, or indeed the effectiveness, of such a protest today, there is a remarkable and much more necessary and personal perspective on “taking a knee” in the Word of the Lord. Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi speaks about the humility and exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought to be like Jesus we are told. Here, after all, is the Son of God and equal to God in the Trinity, and yet what did He do? He came as a Man, living in humility, to serve rather than be served. He obeyed His Heavenly Father as He was crucified on a Cross and exalted by God who gave Him a name above every name. And we, you and I and every person born into this world, living, dead and yet to be born, will one day bow the knee to the name of Jesus. And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
That is “taking a knee” with gladness and thanksgiving, giving glory to God the Father through His only Son who gave His life that man might be saved. That is “taking a knee” before the only One who is able to reconcile us from the depth of our sin and disobedience so that one day we can share eternity with Him. We will bow down to Christ, exalting the risen Lord as servants of the servant King through our personal faith and trust in Him. Our “taking the knee” will not be in protest but rather in worship of the Saviour because, in Him and He alone, can we know God’s wonderful salvation and rejoice and be glad.
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him King of glory now; 'tis the Father's pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
Caroline Maria Noel 1817-77
By Wor. Bro. Rev. John Noble, Grand Chaplain