What does it mean that Jesus made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant?
It means that although Jesus was fully God—the omnipotent, omniscient Creator—He voluntarily made Himself of no reputation and accepted the position of a servant for humanity's sake. He was made in the likeness of men, humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the awful death of the cross.
Les explains that Philippians 2:6 first establishes that Jesus was God and is God, with no doubt. Though He was the omnipotent, omniscient Creator, verse 7 says He made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant. Les compares this to the young Jewish man in Exodus who agreed to be nothing more than a servant. He did so for the sake of you and me. The text says He was made in the likeness of men, not merely like men, and being found in fashion as a man, the Creator God condescended and lowered Himself, as Scripture says, a little lower than the angels. He humbled Himself and became obedient not just for forty, fifty, or sixty years of servitude, but unto death—not an ordinary or quick execution, but the most awful death ever contrived in the human race, the death of the cross. Crucifixion is beyond us.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: