The Humility of Christ

Humility isn’t something we naturally celebrate. In a world that prizes self-promotion, achievement, and power, humility is often misunderstood as weakness. It’s certainly not something that we gravitate towards for ourselves. But when we look to Jesus, we see something altogether different. 

We see divine power wrapped in meekness. We see the eternal Son of God who willingly descended into human frailty, submitting Himself to suffering and shame—not because He had to, but because his love for his Father and his bride compelled Him to.

In Philippians 2:5–8, Paul invites believers to adopt the same attitude as Christ Jesus. This passage gives us a breathtaking view of the humility of our Lord:

“[He] did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.”

Jesus did not grasp at His rights or cling to His divine privileges. Instead, He laid them down. The King of Heaven traded His throne for a cradle, His majesty for mockery, and ultimately, His life for ours. This wasn’t a humiliation forced upon Him. It was humility chosen by Him.

John 19:1–6 gives us a painfully clear picture of just how far Christ’s humility went. He was scourged, crowned with thorns, robed in purple—a cruel parody of royalty. Pilate presents Him to the crowd with the words, “Here is the man!”—a bruised, bloodied figure who had every right to call down legions of angels to His rescue. Yet He remained silent, embracing the suffering set before Him.

Why? Because He came not to be served but to serve—and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). The humility of Christ was not momentary; it was a posture of His entire life and ministry. From His birth in a manger to His death on a cross, Jesus continually lowered Himself so that we might be lifted up.

This kind of humility is not natural to us. We often struggle to lay down our preferences, our reputations, or even our time. But the humility of Jesus is meant to shape the way we live and serve. Paul doesn’t just marvel at Jesus’ humility—he calls us to imitate it: 

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.”

What would our homes, churches, and communities look like if we took that seriously?  What if we saw others as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2:3)? What if we were quick to serve and slow to demand? What if we laid aside our desire to be seen and chose instead to lift up others?

Jesus' humility wasn’t weakness—it was power under control and love in action. And through His self-emptying, we were given life. His humility led to our salvation.

So today, as we reflect on the crucifixion and the humility of Christ, let it move us to more than just admiration. Let it lead us to transformation. Let us ask God for hearts that are shaped by the same humility that carried Jesus to the cross.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for humbling Yourself to save us. You did not hold onto Your rights, but willingly became a servant for our sake. Help us to walk in that same humility—to serve, to love, and to lay down our lives for others. Shape our hearts to reflect Yours. Amen.

Reflection

1. Where in your life are you tempted to hold on to your rights or status instead of taking the posture of a servant?
   What might it look like to follow Christ’s example of humility in that area?

2. How does reflecting on Jesus’ willingness to suffer for you personally impact your understanding of love and sacrifice?
   What emotions or convictions does it stir in you?

3. In what specific ways can you demonstrate Christ-like humility in your relationships this week—at home, at work, or in your church community? What is one act of service you can take today?