Who is Jesus? The Humble Servant

The Humble Servant

Philippians 2:6-7 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (NIV)

            Servants were normally thought of as humble help during Biblical times. They did not have the same rights as those of a natural-born family member and were not entitled to receive any inheritance, but often built relationships with their masters as was the case with Abraham prior to God’s promise to give him an heir of his own. Genesis 15:2-3 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me not children, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” (NIV) Abraham seemed to have had a close bond with this particular servant and was going to leave him his inheritance until God promised him and his wife, Sarah a child of their own.

Servants fulfilled the tasks for which they were paid or enslaved to do, while staying in their appropriate place with regards to keeping silent about family and/or other affairs. They often did the tasks that others either did not want to do or needed help with doing. Nevertheless, this was not Jesus’ case. He willingly came down from His royal place in Heaven to take on the form of a servant to be subservient to his Father for us. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV) Jesus was entitled to everything because He was God’s son, yet He left it all to put on mortal flesh, so they we could one day take on immortality.

Jesus did not rule as the King that He was the first time around on earth because that would take place when He returns. John 18:36-37 ⁽³⁶⁾Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would  fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is form another place.”  ⁽³⁷⁾“You are a king, then!” said Pilate: Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (NIV) He came as a servant to help lead people to the Father and teach them the path to Salvation. Jesus knew that His day would come when He would be rewarded by his Father, once His mission was complete, and would one day return to earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus showed the example of humility when he knelt down to wash the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. He, being the Son of God, did not show pride, but what it meant to be humble not only to God but with one another. John 13:2-5 ⁽²⁾The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ⁽³⁾Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁽⁴⁾so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁽⁵⁾After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (NIV) Jesus’ example of humility shows us what it is to be pleasing to the Father for God wants a heart that is humble and submissive to His will. Jesus wanted us to follow His example in honoring his Father not in arrogance, selfishness, self-exaltation or pride, but Jesus showed that in becoming a servant, we too can honor the Father by denying self and submitting our whole hearts unto Him. Philippians 2:3-5 ⁽³⁾Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁽⁴⁾not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. ⁽⁵⁾In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (NIV)d/or other affairs. They often did the tasks that others either did not want to do or needed help with doing. Nevertheless, this was not Jesus’ case. He willingly came down from His royal place in Heaven to take on the form of a servant to be subservient to his Father for us. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV) Jesus was entitled to everything because He was God’s son, yet He left it all to put on mortal flesh, so they we could one day take on immortality.

Jesus did not rule as the King that He was the first time around on earth because that would take place when He returns. John 18:36-37 ⁽³⁶⁾Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would  fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is form another place.”  ⁽³⁷⁾“You are a king, then!” said Pilate: Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (NIV) He came as a servant to help lead people to the Father and teach them the path to Salvation. Jesus knew that His day would come when He would be rewarded by his Father, once His mission was complete, and would one day return to earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus showed the example of humility when he knelt down to wash the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. He, being the Son of God, did not show pride, but what it meant to be humble not only to God but with one another. John 13:2-5 ⁽²⁾The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ⁽³⁾Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁽⁴⁾so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁽⁵⁾After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (NIV) Jesus’ example of humility shows us what it is to be pleasing to the Father for God wants a heart that is humble and submissive to His will. Jesus wanted us to follow His example in honoring his Father not in arrogance, selfishness, self-exaltation or pride, but Jesus showed that in becoming a servant, we too can honor the Father by denying self and submitting our whole hearts unto Him. Philippians 2:3-5 ⁽³⁾Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁽⁴⁾not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. ⁽⁵⁾In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (NIV)