Exalt:
To exalt in Biblical terms is, “to raise to a higher level in rank, honor, power, character, quality and to elevate something or someone.” In the Scriptures this is generally reserved for God or Christ. It should be the aim of every Christian to exalt Christ above all things at all times. While we fail to do this as we ought, it should be our desire, and we should be quick to repent when we are raising ourselves or anything else to a higher level than Jesus Christ.
The lyrics to the Christmas Carol, “O, Come All Ye Faithful,” say this:
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
I have included a rarely used second stanza (in italics). Take a moment to read it again. The world seems pretty comfortable at Christmas thinking about Jesus in a manger, Jesus at Bethlehem, and angels singing. Just consider how many secular artists sing the carols of Christmas but fail to exalt Christ in any real or personal way.
But, that second stanza leaves no room for sentiment regarding the birth of Christ. That virgin-born baby is God of God, Light of Light, begotten, not created. When you begin to deal with Deity, you are dealing with accountability. If Jesus is God, He leaves no room for self-exaltation.
This is what we mean by exalting Christ. Not exalt Christ on Sundays regardless of what you do on Monday or Saturday. Instead exalt Christ because He is God of God. Higher rank, higher honor, higher power, higher character, and higher quality. Elevate Him in your heart and mind. And when you feel the slightest bit of temptation to pull Him downward, resist it with all your might. He deserves that higher rank because the manger led to the cross and an empty tomb.
By His Grace, and For His Glory
Pastor Mark
