Philippians 4:8 - No.7 The Excellence of the Crucifixion

And now for the wrap up from Philippians 4:8...
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." (New Living Translation, 2015)

Paul says to "fix your thoughts" on a list of six different qualities, then sums it up with, "Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." To give practical illustrations, Paul points to his own life: what he did and what he said. But elsewhere he says, "you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1, NLT)

Unexpectedly, the most excellent things and worthy of praise, were most clearly demonstrated in the ugliest, cruelest of events: the crucifixion of Christ.

What is true? In interrogating Jesus, Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Jesus had already said, "I am ...the truth." (John 14:6)

What is honorable; "worthy of honor"? Jesus, "the Lamb who was slain," will be crowned "King of Kings and Lord of lords," the only one worthy "to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. (Rev 5:2 & 12; 17:14 NASB) 

What is right and just? "Jesus Christ, the righteous" ... "will judge the world with justice..." (1 John 2:21; Acts 17:31) 

What is pure? Three times Pilate's verdict was, "I find no guilt in Him." (John 18:38; 19:4 & 6) 

What is lovely and attractive? Isaiah prophesied that there would be "nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him." (Isaiah 53:2, NLT) Yet Jesus said that it would be through His crucifixion that "I will draw everyone to myself.” (John 12:32, NLT)

What is admirable; worthy of respect? When the centurion in charge of crucifying Jesus, “...standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'” (Mark 15:39, NASB)

Lord Christ, You "gave life to everything that was created, and Your life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:4-5, NLT) Fix our thoughts on any reflection of Your light. And when those reflections dim and blur, keep us fixed on You, the source of all that is excellent and worthy of praise. Amen.

 Photo: Cimabue Crucifix, Santa Croce Church, Florence (2019)