Exalting Christ is at the heart of Christian worship. Today, we’ll discover what the Bible says about lifting up Jesus in our lives and in our praise.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Exaggeration
What Does The Bible Say About Exaltation Of Christ
Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
This verse emphasizes the exaltation of Jesus Christ by God the Father, highlighting his supreme authority and power. It declares that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. The exaltation of Christ brings glory to God and showcases His dominion over all creation.
Acts 2:33
“Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.”
This verse points to the exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God after His resurrection. Through His exalted position, Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit and poured out this Holy Spirit onto His followers. His exaltation enables believers to experience the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Hebrews 1:3
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
This verse highlights Christ’s exaltation to the right hand of God, affirming His supreme authority and divine nature. Jesus, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, purified humanity from sin and now sustains all things by His powerful word. His exalted position signifies His role as the ultimate high priest and mediator between God and humanity.
Ephesians 1:20-21
“He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
This verse emphasizes the exaltation of Christ to the heavenly realms, far above all earthly and spiritual authorities. He holds the highest position of honor and power, not only in the present age but also in the age to come. His exaltation demonstrates His complete supremacy and sovereignty.
Colossians 3:1
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
This verse encourages believers to set their hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. It reminds us that our identity is found in our union with Christ, and we are called to focus on eternal heavenly realities rather than temporary earthly pursuits.
Revelation 5:12-13
“In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!'”
This passage depicts the exaltation of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who is worshipped by all creation. It acknowledges His worthiness to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise. The exalted position of Christ evokes universal worship and adoration, as He shares in the eternal glory and power of God.
John 17:1-2
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”
In this prayer, Jesus acknowledges His impending exaltation and asks the Father to glorify Him so that He may, in turn, bring glory to the Father. He recognizes that the Father has granted Him authority over all people and has entrusted Him with the mission of giving eternal life to those who belong to Him.
1 Peter 3:22
“who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”
This verse affirms Christ’s exalted position at the right hand of God, where all angels, authorities, and powers are in submission to Him. It reveals His sovereignty over both the physical and spiritual realms and emphasizes His supreme authority over all creation.
Psalm 110:1
“The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'”
This verse portrays the exalted position of the Lord, as God invites Him to sit at His right hand in anticipation of the defeat and subjugation of His enemies. It signifies the authority and triumph of the Lord over all opposition and the ultimate establishment of His reign.
Hebrews 2:9
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
This verse highlights the exaltation of Jesus, who, after His incarnation and sacrificial death, is now crowned with glory and honor. His suffering and death served as a means to extend God’s grace to all humanity, and His exaltation reveals His victory over sin and death.
1 Timothy 3:16
“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”
This verse speaks of the exaltation of Christ, who appeared in human form, was vindicated by the Holy Spirit, witnessed by angels, preached to the nations, believed on by people worldwide, and ultimately taken up in glory. His exaltation confirms His divine identity and the significance of His redemptive work.
Hebrews 10:12-13
“But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.”
This verse emphasizes the completed work of Christ, who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sins and then sat down at the right hand of God. His exalted position signifies the finality and effectiveness of His sacrifice, and His patient waiting highlights the certainty of His ultimate victory over all opposition.
Isaiah 52:13
“See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.”
This verse prophesies the exaltation of the servant of the LORD, referring to Jesus Christ. It anticipates His wise and righteous actions and declares that He will be raised, lifted up, and highly exalted. It affirms the vindication and glory that will come to Christ through His obedient and sacrificial mission.
Romans 14:11
“It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'”
This verse reminds us that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the lordship of Christ. It points to the future exaltation of Jesus, where all people will acknowledge God’s supremacy. It highlights the inevitability and universality of Christ’s ultimate exaltation and the recognition of His divine authority.
1 Corinthians 15:27-28
“For he ‘has put everything under his feet.’ Now when it says that ‘everything’ has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him so that God may be all in all.”
This passage speaks of the exaltation of Jesus, who will have all things placed under His authority except God Himself. It anticipates the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan, where Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive work, will willingly subject Himself to God the Father. It underscores the exaltation of Christ and affirms the supremacy of God.
Acts 5:31
“God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.”
This verse highlights the exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God, where He serves as the Prince and Savior. His exaltation is for the purpose of bringing repentance and forgiveness of sins to the people of Israel, showcasing the redemptive power and grace of God through Christ.
Hebrews 9:24
“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.”
This verse emphasizes the exaltation of Jesus, who entered heaven itself, the true sanctuary, to appear before God on behalf of humanity. His exalted position allows Him to intercede for believers and represent them in God’s presence, giving them access to divine mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Psalm 2:7
“The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: ‘The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.” “
This verse portrays the exalted status of the messianic King, who is declared as the Son of God by the LORD. It signifies the divine relationship and confirms the authority and honor of the anointed King. Through His exaltation, the King fulfills His role as the promised Messiah.
Mark 16:19
“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.”
This verse records the exaltation of Jesus, who was taken up into heaven after His earthly ministry and took His seat at the right hand of God. His ascension and exaltation demonstrate His triumph over sin and death and signify His reign and authority alongside the Father.
Revelation 3:21
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
In this verse, Jesus promises the victorious believers the privilege of sharing in His exaltation and sitting with Him on His throne. It emphasizes the eternal and intimate union of believers with Christ, as they partake in His reign and glory as co-heirs of God’s kingdom.
Psalm 110:5
“The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.”
This verse speaks of the exaltation of the LORD, who stands at the right hand of the exalted King. It portrays the Lord’s authority and power to bring judgment and defeat to the enemies of the King. The exaltation of the King is coupled with the Lord’s divine support and victorious reign.
Psalm 148:13
“Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.”
This psalm calls for the praise and exaltation of the LORD, whose name alone is exalted. It exalts God’s splendor, which surpasses all earthly and heavenly realities. The exaltation of the LORD inspires awe and reverence, as it reflects the greatness and majesty of His being.