The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition,[1]
made under the law,[2] undergoing the miseries of this life,[3] the wrath of God,[4]
and the cursed death of the cross;[5] in being buried,[6]
and continuing under the power of death for a time.[7]

Proofs

[1] Luke 2:7;  [2] Galatians 4:4;  [3] Hebrews 12:2–3; Isaiah 53:2–3;
[4] Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46; [5] Philippians.2:8;  [6] 1 Corinthians 15:3–4;
[7] Acts 2:24–27, 31.

Comments

There is a very popular hymn by Charles Wesley, “And Can it be That I should gain,” which contains a very pietistic phrase, which had often moved me to tears. This statement declares that Christ “emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race.” Apart from the fact that this statement must have been intended by Wesley to teach universal atonement (though it can be sang with Calvinistic filters), it contains another pernicious error (though perhaps not intended), namely, that in the incarnation Christ emptied Himself of His deity too! This idea is known as the kenosis theory and is derived from a false interpretation of Philippians 2:6–8. What then did Christ empty Himself of? Not His deity, else His death would not be sufficient for us all. Christ emptied Himself, rather of His position, glory and dignity. Christ was the Son of God, and very God Himself, but He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phil 2:7), and as such was made a vicarious sacrifice for us. Theologically, the process that Christ went through for our sakes is known as His humiliation. In this answer, we are taught that Christ humbled Himself in His birth, life and death.

Christ’s humiliation in His birth comprises: (1) His being born, in the first place—though He is infinite and eternal; and (2) His being born in a low condition—not in a rich and regal family, but in a poor family with a stable for His nativity—though He is the eternal Son of God and owns the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Christ’s humiliation in His life comprises: (1) His being made subject to the law—though He is the Law-Giver; and (2) His suffering the sorrows of this life—though He not only created the world, but upholds the universe. It should be noted that Christ’s earthly sufferings were not a result of sin, but are the natural infirmities of the flesh, such as weariness, hunger, thirst, and the like (cf. Jn 4:6; Mt 4:2); and the affliction of the soul, such as grief and sorrow: He was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa 53:3).

Christ’s humiliation in His death comprises: (1) His suffering an intense separation from His Father and enduring the infinite wrath of God’s judgement on the sin of all the elect throughout the ages, which was imputed on Him—though He is eternally beloved of the Father; (2) His being crucified, a cruel, painful and lingering form of punishment reserved for the accursed criminals—though He did not sin at all; (3) His being buried, and (4) His remaining in the grave for three days—though He raised Lazarus and others.