The humility of Christ is seen in the eternal Son of God taking a servant’s place, becoming truly human, and obeying the Father to the point of death on a cross. Philippians 2:3–8 presents Him as both our Savior and our example. Jesus did not stop being God when He humbled Himself. He used His greatness to serve, calling us to turn from selfish ambition and care for others.
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The television program Undercover Boss offers a limited illustration. A leader sets aside the visible signs of status and enters the workplace dressed as an ordinary employee. The contrast between the person’s position and appearance can help us think about humility.
But the incarnation goes infinitely further. Jesus’ humanity was not a disguise, and He did not enter our world merely to collect information. The eternal Son truly became man. He shared our human life without sin and came to give Himself for our salvation.
Humility Gives Serious Attention to the Needs of Others
Paul begins with relationships within the church. In Philippians 2:3–4, he tells believers to reject selfish ambition and conceit, count others significant, and attend to their interests. Humility changes how we treat people.
It is not a command to regard ourselves as worthless. Nor does Paul say our own responsibilities and needs cease to matter. He challenges the self-centered habit of treating our interests as the only ones that deserve attention.
A useful way to describe humility is thinking of ourselves less and considering others more. But this should encourage service, not become another accusation against a person struggling with discouragement. Paul directs us toward a practical question: whose needs am I overlooking because I am preoccupied with my own importance?
Jesus gives the perfect example. His teaching about who is greatest places service at the center of true greatness. To put God first includes receiving His priorities for our treatment of others.
Christ’s Humility Began Before the Cross
Philippians 2 takes us back before Bethlehem. Jesus already existed in the form of God. John 1:1 likewise identifies the eternal Word as God. The Son did not begin to exist when Mary gave birth; He entered human life as the One who eternally shares the divine nature.
The word translated “form” is part of Paul’s description of who Christ is, not a suggestion that He merely looked divine. His equality with God makes His taking the servant’s place all the more astonishing.
The circumstances of His birth display that lowliness. Luke records a manger rather than a royal cradle. The offering Joseph and Mary bring in Luke 2:24 corresponds to the provision for those unable to afford a lamb in Leviticus 12:8. Shepherds receive the announcement of His birth, and He grows up in Nazareth, a place Nathanael initially views with skepticism (John 1:46).
These details direct us to the humility of the One who came. They do not mean every aspect of His birth lacked glory: angels praised God, and the birth fulfilled His promises. The wonder is that such a glorious Savior entered such lowly circumstances.
What Does It Mean That Jesus Emptied Himself?
The verb translated “emptied himself” gives us the theological term kenosis. Paul explains the emptying through what follows: Christ took the form of a servant and was born in human likeness. He humbled Himself by taking this lowly condition, not by ceasing to be God.
We must therefore avoid saying that Jesus surrendered divine attributes such as omniscience. The Gospels affirm both His deity and genuine human development, including growth in wisdom (Luke 2:52). His humanity was real, and His deity remained undiminished. For a fuller discussion, see this explanation of kenosis.
Second Corinthians 8:9 describes His becoming poor for our sake. The Son who possesses heavenly glory accepted a life of humble service and suffering. His self-giving love, rather than a loss of divine identity, is the emphasis.
Jesus Remained King in His Humility
David’s conduct when the ark entered Jerusalem offers another limited illustration. Second Samuel 6 describes him wearing a linen ephod and celebrating before the Lord. Michal despises his conduct, but David explains that he is honoring the God who chose him to rule.
David remains king while humbling himself before the Lord. That contrast helps us appreciate how lowly conduct need not mean loss of authority. It does not make David’s actions identical to Christ’s incarnation or establish every detail as a prophecy. Jesus’ humiliation is greater than the illustration.
Isaiah 53 anticipates a servant who is rejected rather than honored. Jesus fulfills that pattern. People judge by outward appearance and miss the King standing before them. His humility does not diminish His rightful authority.
The Humbled King Deserves Our Worship
Christ’s obedience leads all the way to the cross. Matthew 27 describes the robe, thorns, and mock homage used to ridicule Him. The inscription over His head identifies Him as King even as He suffers rejection.
Yet the story does not end at the cross. Jesus rises from the dead, and Philippians 2:9–11 declares His exaltation and the coming confession of His lordship. We must hold His humiliation and exaltation together. The Savior who stooped to serve is the Lord worthy of our worship.
His death is more than an inspiring example. He lived without sin and died as our substitute so that sinners could be forgiven and reconciled to God. We first receive His saving work by faith, and then learn to follow His example through the grace He supplies.
The call is concrete: listen before insisting on your importance, serve when there is no applause, and give attention to someone whose needs you have overlooked. Jesus warns that self-exaltation ends in humiliation. His own humility shows us the better way: trust the Father, love others, and gladly honor the King who gave Himself for us.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ’s humility differ from treating yourself as worthless?
- Why is it important that Jesus became truly human without ceasing to be God?
- Whose needs could you give greater attention to this week?
