The obedient submission of Jesus Christ to his Father, seen in his willingness to become a human being for humanity's sake, his freedom from self-interest and his willingness to serve others.
Jesus Christ's willingness to become a human being
Philippians 2:6–7 “human likeness” is not mere similarity to but identity with humanity. See also Romans 8:3; 2 Corinthians 8:9
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Jesus Christ's humility predicted in the OT
Matthew 12:19–20; Isaiah 42:2–3, Isaiah 50:4–6; Matthew 8:17; Acts 8:32–33; Isaiah 53:2–7; 1 Peter 2:22; Isaiah 53:9; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 21:5 parallel John 12:15; Zechariah 9:9; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 26:31 parallel Mark 14:27; Zechariah 13:7
The poverty of Jesus Christ's birth and upbringing
Luke 2:7, Luke 2:12, Luke 2:16, Luke 2:22–24 Only the poorest families offered doves or pigeons.
Jesus Christ's obedience to his human parents
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Jesus Christ's obedience to his heavenly Father
John 5:30 See also John 8:29, John 15:10; Romans 5:19, Romans 15:3; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8
I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Jesus Christ's dependence on his heavenly Father
John 5:19 See also John 5:30, John 17:7
So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
Jesus Christ's submission to baptism
Matthew 3:13–15 parallels Mark 1:9, Luke 3:21
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
Jesus Christ's humble acceptance of ill treatment
1 Peter 2:23 See also Matthew 26:63 parallel Mark 14:61; Matthew 26:66–67 parallel Mark 14:64–65; Matthew 27:14 parallel Mark 15:5; Matthew 27:28–30 parallels Mark 15:17–19, John 19:2
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
Jesus Christ's acceptance of the cross
Philippians 2:8 See also Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:53; Luke 23:34; Hebrews 5:7
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.
Jesus Christ's humility with other people
Children: Matthew 19:13–15 parallels Mark 10:13–16, Luke 18:15–17; Matthew 20:29–34 parallels Mark 10:46–52, Luke 18:35–43; Mark 1:40–42 Leprosy sufferers; John 4:5–9 a Samaritan woman
Jesus Christ's servant attitude
Mark 10:45 parallel Matthew 20:28 See also Matthew 12:19–20; John 13:4–5, John 13:12; 2 Corinthians 10:1
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.”
Jesus Christ's teaching about humility
Mark 9:33–37 parallels Matthew 18:1–5, Luke 9:46–48 See also Matthew 23:8–12; Mark 10:42–45 parallel Matthew 20:26–28; Luke 14:7–11, Luke 18:9–14
Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.” Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
Jesus Christ's humility as a model for others
John 13:12–17 See also Matthew 11:29–30; Ephesians 5:25; Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21
When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.