Bowing in America is something that is not practiced as it is in some countries. In countries where there are Kings and Queens, it is common when you approach royalty to bow at the waist. While this is a show of respect for the position, very few do it with any meaning. It’s just a habit. In religious circles when a person bows, they do so on bended knee. Bowing the knee is an expression of submission or adoration. Most people will never bow the knee while on this earth, but the Bible teaches that one day all will bow the knee before Jesus.
In Philippians 2:6-8, we learn that even though Jesus was 100% God and 100% man, He did not consider His equality with God as something selfishly to be held on to. He humbled himself and became a servant. Jesus willingly was obedient to the will of the Father to become the sacrifice for our sins. Because of his sacrifice and service, God highly exalted Him. God gave Him a name above every name, the name Jesus! In Philippians 2:10, God declares “at Jesus name every knee will bow.” Every person and every angel one day will bow and confess Jesus as Lord. We will either bow because He is our Lord or because He is our judge. The word Lord means master. If you are saved, He is your Master. You have surrendered your will to His will for your life. He is your Lord now, but if you have never given Him control and sought to live under His control, He will be your judge, and you will confess that He has full control of your destiny. In verse 11 we see the purpose. It is to glorify God the Father.
Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
In Romans 14:11, all will acknowledge Jesus as God as they bow the knee before Him, and those who are saved will confess Him as their Savior. In Romans 14:12, we will each give an account of our lives to God. No one will escape this appointment, and all will bow.
Romans 14:11-12 “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So, then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
We should all practice this bowing of the knee. Paul refers to His bowing in Ephesians 3:14. He bows the knee to pray to God the Father. It is an outward posture showing his reverence and humility as he approaches the throne in prayer. I understand we can pray anywhere in any posture, but I think it is good to have times when we kneel before God and cry out to Him with reverence and humility. When we are kneeling, we are still, we are focused, and deliberate in our prayer time. Bowing before Him causes us to remember it’s all about Him. It helps us to tune out the noise of life.
Ephesians 3:14 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
It was the bowing of the knee that caused those around Daniel to be jealous and seek his life. However, Daniel never allowed the threat of death to keep him from bowing 3 times a day to pray. This sign of reverence for God was noticed by others. Because of Daniel’s love for God, this practice of bowing and praying did not cease because of threats, and God protected and exalted Daniel for His faithfulness.
Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
When Stephan was being stoned to death for his preaching of salvation through Jesus Christ, he kneeled and prayed for God to forgive those who were killing him. When he knelt, Jesus stood up to welcome him into Heaven. What an awesome picture of the love of Stephen for Jesus and Jesus’ love for Stephan.
Act 7:60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
While we can pray in any posture, the Bible makes it clear that kneeling is a good way to approach God. It is good to practice now, and it will be required when we are before him. I have often imagined what it will be like when I come before the throne of God one day. The only way I can picture myself is to bow and lay prostrate before my God and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t feel worthy to stand or even kneel, but in a show of total submission and reverence for Him, I will lay before Him and praise Him with complete adoration and thankfulness for all He has done for me and all that He is.
