Yes, Jesus took the form of a servant by voluntarily giving up His divine reputation and becoming a lowly human, even to death on the cross.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus, though fully God, made Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). This was a voluntary act of humility, as He lowered Himself from being the omnipotent Creator to a man walking the streets of dusty Palestine. He became obedient to death, even the death of the cross, all for the sake of believers.
Philippians 2:5-8 — This passage directly describes Jesus taking the form of a servant, humbling Himself, and becoming obedient to death.
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:5-8, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." This passage declares that Jesus, already in the form of God and equal with God, did not cling to His divine reputation. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and appearing in the likeness of men. His humility led Him to obedience, culminating in the cross.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus, the Sovereign Creator God, voluntarily chose to become a servant. He stresses that the phrase "made himself of no reputation" means Jesus did it to Himself: He lowered Himself from being the almighty Creator God to a man walking the streets of dusty Palestine. This was not an accident but a deliberate act for the sake of humanity. Les connects this to the Old Testament picture of a Hebrew servant (Exodus 21) who out of love for his family agrees to be a servant for life. Jesus did far more: He became obedient unto death, even the worst death ever devised—the cross. Les points out that Jesus could have "zapped the whole thing," but He didn't fight back; He was totally obedient. Les also applies this to us: just as Jesus humbled Himself, believers are to have the same mind—letting this mind be in us (Philippians 2:5). He illustrates Jesus' servanthood through His lowly entry into Jerusalem on a donkey and His washing of the disciples' feet.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus became a servant for the sake of believers. In 2 Corinthians 8:9, Paul says that though Christ was rich, He became poor for our sakes. Les explains that Jesus owned all the wealth of the universe—all the cattle on a thousand hills, all the gold, all the diamonds—yet He gave it up to become poor, even saying foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head. This humility was not for Himself but for the carnal believers of Corinth and for every believer.
Les Feldick draws a parallel between Jesus and the Hebrew servant in Exodus 21. In that Old Testament picture, a servant who loves his master and family agrees to serve for the rest of his life out of love. Les says that Jesus did far more: He agreed to be nothing more than a servant, even though He was God, the omnipotent, omniscient Creator. He took upon Himself the form of a servant for the sake of you and me.
Les teaches that Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He emphasizes that Jesus could have "zapped the whole thing" but instead there is no indication in Scripture that He fought back. He was totally obedient, demonstrating the ultimate humility and servanthood. This obedience was the climax of taking the form of a servant.
Les Feldick points out that Paul introduces this teaching with "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Just as Jesus did not grasp at His divine rights but humbled Himself, believers are to have the same attitude. Les notes that when we were made in the image of God, we were given a mind, and here we see the mind of Christ as our example.
Christ's Voluntary Poverty
Les teaches that though Christ was rich (owning all cattle, gold, and diamonds), He became poor for believers' sakes—so poor He had no place to lay His head.
Servant in the Likeness of Men
Les emphasizes that Jesus, though God, made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant, just like the Hebrew servant in Exodus who agreed to be a servant.
Mark's Gospel as Servant Portrait
Les connects Philippians 2:5-7 to Mark's Gospel, which portrays Jesus as the Son of Man and servant.
Lowly Servant, Not Royal King
Les contrasts Jesus' coming as a lowly servant on a donkey with the Jews' expectation of a king on a white steed, and points to foot-washing as the epitome of servanthood.
The Mind of Christ
Les shows that Jesus, being in the form of God, did not think equality with God was something to grasp, and applies this as the mind believers should have.
Obedient Unto Death
Les stresses that Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death—the cross—when He could have easily stopped the whole thing.
Self-Emptying of the Creator
Les explains that Jesus Himself made Himself of no reputation; as the Sovereign Creator God, He voluntarily took the form of a servant.
Voluntary Lowering
Les emphasizes that Jesus, equal with God, lowered Himself from being the almighty Creator to a man walking in dusty Palestine.
Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
This verse sets up the passage by calling believers to imitate Christ's attitude of humility.
Philippians 2:6: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
It establishes Jesus' true deity and equality with God before His humiliation.
Philippians 2:7: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
This is the key verse describing Jesus taking the form of a servant.
Philippians 2:8: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
It shows the extent of His servanthood—obedience to the point of crucifixion.
2 Corinthians 8:9: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Les uses this verse to show that Jesus gave up His infinite riches to become poor for believers.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus was God, is God, and there's no doubt about it. Even though He was the omnipotent, omniscient Creator, He voluntarily made Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant. He did not cease to be God; He lowered Himself in humility.
Les teaches that Jesus became poor for the sake of believers, according to 2 Corinthians 8:9. He owned all the cattle on a thousand hills and all the gold and diamonds, yet He gave up that wealth to the point of having no place to lay His head, so that through His poverty we might be rich.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Though He could have 'zapped the whole thing,' He didn't fight back. His obedience was the ultimate demonstration of servanthood and was for our sake, fulfilling the Father's will.
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