Humility is deeply connected to our creation in the image of God which stands as a profound aspect of human existence. Being created in God’s image grants us a unique and honoured status within creation, but this privilege is not meant to inflate our pride or lead us to self-exaltation. Instead, it calls us to remember our dependence on God and our responsibility to reflect His character. The life of Christ offers us two powerful examples of humility that teach us what it truly means to live in the image of God.
The first example is found in the coming of Jesus into the world, as described in Philippians 2:5-8. Though Jesus was in the form of God, He did not cling to His divine privileges. Instead, He chose to empty Himself, taking on the form of a servant by being born as a human being. This act of self-emptying, is a profound demonstration of humility. Jesus, fully divine, did not use His status to assert power or demand honour. Instead, He chose to live among us, experiencing the fullness of human life, including suffering and death on the cross. Through this act, Jesus reflected the image of God not by asserting His divine rights but by serving others with sacrificial love.
The second example of Christ’s humility is found in John 13:1-17, where Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. In the cultural context of that time, washing someone’s feet was considered a task reserved for the lowest servant. Yet, Jesus, the Master and Teacher, took on this humble role to serve His disciples. By doing so, He demonstrated that true greatness in God’s Kingdom is not about status or power but about humble service. This act of washing the disciples’ feet shows that humility is integral to the Imago Dei—Jesus, who is God in the flesh, models for us a life of service, humility, and love.
These examples from the life of Christ reveal that humility, as connected to the Imago Dei, is not about demeaning oneself. Rather, it is about recognizing our true relationship with God and others. It is through humility that we truly reflect God’s character in our lives.