Jesus Took on the Form of a Servant. What are We Doing?
"Taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7) describes Jesus Christ voluntarily emptying Himself of His Role in the heavenly places, and becoming not His nature, to assume human likeness and submit to death on a cross. This act (in the Greek language) is often called kenosis (self-renunciation). It signifies a move from man’s great glory (the strongest ruler of the time – Alexander the Great/Ceasar) to a life of humiliation, service, and obedience. This is not the definition the people pf GOD would have used. I will share that later on as we journey through this.
One of the things that a high and lofty person would NEVER want to do is leave that role and "take on the form (role/nature) of a Servant." Not in these times and ESPECIALLY NOT Alexander the Great, or a Roman Emperor!
FACT: The Creator of the Heavenlies, Jesus, did not give up His Holiness, but He set aside His heavenly rights and glory.
The "nature" of a Servant in the language of the Greeks is morphe. Does that sound familiar? It suggests that He took the very nature or inward essence of a bond-servant (or slave), not merely appearing as one. …not something a Roman or king would do.
Taking this embodiment on was purpose-filled.This move enabled Him to identify with humanity, serve others, and obey the Father by dying a sacrificial death (Philippians 2:8)—showing all of humanity how this should look, when we decide to “surrender our rights and perceived glory.”
Considering the Bible’s joy of using contrast, Yeshua’s decision to swap is a great contrast from His original state as being in the "Form of GOD" with His active choice to adopt the lowest status—dust.
The above verse is part of a call for all of the believers to adopt the same humble, service-oriented mindset.
DETAILED NOTE: The term “Servant” <eved> in the Hebrew language is a “title” of honor, vocation, and covenant. In Hebrew culture, an eved is not primarily a slave as in the Greco-Roman sense. Oh… Here would be some controversy, it is really someone who:
…belongs to a master by covenant
…represents the master’s authority
…carries the master’s mission
…embodies the master’s character
…serves as an agent of the master’s will
This is why the highest figures in Israel’s story are called eved Adonai: “servant of the Lord.” In Hebrew it refers to a person dedicated to serving GOD wholeheartedly.
Moses
David
The prophets
Israel as a nation (one with GOD’s Ways)
The Servant in Isaiah
To be GOD’s servant is to be chosen, appointed, and entrusted. NOT EVERYONE who declares this is actually filling this. Soooo, when Paul says Yeshua took the morphē of an eved, he is saying: He stepped fully into Israel’s servant-vocation, the Adamic calling, and the prophetic identity of the Servant in Isaiah. This is not humiliation (as in Roman-Greco worlds)—it is Mission set only by the Father.
Contextually, a servant is one who carries the Master’s Presence.
In Hebrew thought, the servant not only bears the name of the master, but also carries the authority of the master, acts as the extension of the master and reveals the character of the master.
This is why Moses is called “faithful in all My house.” This is why Israel is called “My servant, in whom I will be glorified.” Soooo, when Yeshua takes the form of a servant, He emphatically and humbly fills all of these roles:
…the True Israel
…the Faithful Adam
…the Embodiment of the Servant Songs
…the Carrier of GOD’s Presence to the nations (us non descendants of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob.)
He IS the Servant of servants.
With Yeshua (Jesus) being the “Servant” of servants. How would/should this shape the nations that desire to take on His Form by the Spirit? Ooo. Ooo. I think I have an idea…
“When the nations receive the Spirit of Yeshua, they don’t just imitate Him—they are formed into His servant-nature.” This action of obedience, through faith is depicted as an unparalleled act of humility. As we see where the Creator adopted the form of a creature to save humanity, the nations (and faithful of Israel) must adopt the holiness that comes with submission to the Ways of the Most High GOD.
The Bible presents and depicts understanding that “servant” isn’t a small word in Scripture—it’s a vocation, an identity, a calling, and an intention; and Israel and the nations each carry this symbolism in distinct but deeply connected ways.
FACT: If we are to be the servants of the Most High, He IS to be glorified in and through EACH servant!
EXAMPLEs: David –“My servant David.” The prophets – “My servants the prophets” and Israel – “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified”(Isaiah 49)
Many Christians and folks of differing faiths (outside of Judaism and Christianity) consider Israel as being bypassed. However, the Word of GOD has determined who Israel is to and for Him. Israel as a servant has been told throughout Scripture who they are and how they are destined to be as His servant. Here are some I am certain you have read across of your time in GOD’s Holy Word. Here is what Israel’s identity includes:
…bearing GOD’s name among the nations
…revealing GOD’s character through justice, mercy, and covenant faithfulness
…carrying the light to the nations
…suffering on behalf of others (Isaiah 53’s servant songs echo Israel’s calling)
…mediating blessing to the world (Genesis 12)
FACT: Israel is the servant-nation, the Covenant vessel through which GOD intends to heal the world. “Tikkun Olam”—literally means “to do something with the world that will not only fix any damage, but also improve upon it, preparing it to enter the ultimate state for which it was created.”
Have you ever considered (or understood) yourself as a nation of servants? Listen to this quote in your soul: “All nations will be blessed through you.” That in and of itself would be Israel being the fulfillment of the Promise. The nations were never an afterthought, because, from the beginning, GOD’s plan was for “All nations to be blessed through Abraham’s seed.”
When the nations turn to Yeshua and receive His Spirit, they are not becoming “Israel” ethnically—they are entering Israel’s servant vocation spiritually. Yep. We have all chosen to serve. In this humble submission, the nations become: co-servants in the mission, co-heirs of the promise, co-laborers in the kingdom and co-bearers of the divine image restored in Messiah. Isn’t that something?
Paul describes this as, “being grafted in” (Romans 11), becoming fellow citizens (Ephesians 2), sharing the Commonwealth of Israel and receiving the Spirit of adoption.
REMINDER: The nations don’t replace Israel. They join Israel’s calling.
The Spirit reproduces Messiah’s pattern in His people. The Bible shares that, “We are being conformed to the image of His Son.” We are to be that image is ways we must learn to emulate via, self-giving love, Covenant loyalty and hospitality that heals distance. This is why the early believers were called The Way—they embodied a recognizable pattern of life that mirrored the Servant.
You could say, the Spirit makes the nations look like the One Who ‘served them’ into freedom. How cool is that. Wrap your faith around that mind-blower!
Who wants to serve? Not the self-appointed leaders: “No, no, no. Oh... I love this power!”
This is how the true servant symbolism flows from GOD: Israel → Messiah → Nations
Here’s the pattern I found:
1. Israel is called to be GOD’s servant. Israel is a Nation shaped by Covenant, justice, mercy, and presence.
2. Messiah becomes the Servant’s Standard of excellence. He embodies Israel’s calling perfectly and carries it to completion.
3. The nations receive the Spirit of the Servant. They are drawn into the same downward, self-giving, Covenant-shaped life.
4. Together, Israel and the nations become the “servant people.” A global family reflecting the character of the Servant King. The Servant identity becomes the shared occupation of a reconciled people.
“Together” Israel and the nations become a priestly people, a healing presence, a reconciled family and a foretaste of new creation. “Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Messiah Yeshua.” The servant-mind is the shared identity of the renewed humanity.
ALMOST LAST WORD: “We are ambassadors for Messiah,” “We are His workmanship,” and “We have the mind of Messiah.” Those quote phrases are describing Hebraic servanthood, not Roman slavery.
The BIG picture looks a lot like servanthood being as the shape of the Kingdom.
Roman servanthood = humiliation
Greek servanthood = submission
Hebraic servanthood = profession/occupation