April 26, 2026

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5–8)

We know that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man at the same time. In theology, this is called the hypostatic union. At no point was Christ anything less than fully God, as He has been with the Father from all eternity. Yet He also took on true humanity—truly God and truly man. So what is the attitude we are called to imitate?

As a true, perfect, and sinless man, Jesus would have been the greatest man on earth—not only because He is truly God, but because of the excellence of His genuine humanity. He would have been the wisest, most discerning, most courageous, and perfectly upright in every way. In His humanity, Christ was superior to every person He encountered.

If that were true of us, how difficult it would be not to seek recognition. How easily we would look down on others or quietly enjoy being seen as superior. We would be tempted to take pleasure in the very qualities that set us apart.

But this passage teaches that Jesus did the exact opposite.

Though He was superior in every way, He did not cling to His privileges. He humbled Himself and took the form of a servant to enrich others. He gave to others what made Him their superior and took upon Himself what made them His inferiors.

As Paul writes elsewhere:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Jesus used all that made Him exceptional to enrich, encourage, and save those who were weak, broken, and sinful. He did not insist on being treated as superior but chose to be the servant of all.

This is the attitude we are to imitate. Whatever gifts, talents, and abilities we have—whether ordinary or remarkable—we are to use them for the good of others. They are not meant to elevate us above others, but to serve them.

Rather than striving to be known as the smartest, wisest, or most capable person in the room, we should use our strengths to build others up. We give our strength to others and bear their weakness—because this is what Christ has done for us.