How did Christ humble himself in his life?
Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting himself to the law,1 which he perfectly fulfilled;2 and by conflicting with the indignities of the world,3 temptations of Satan,4 and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that his low condition.5
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Gal. 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
2 Matt. 5:17; Rom. 5:19
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
3 Ps. 22:6; Heb. 12:2–3
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb. 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Matt. 4:1–12; Luke 4:13
Matt. 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Matt. 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Matt. 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matt. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matt. 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Matt. 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matt. 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matt. 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Matt. 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matt. 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matt. 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Matt. 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
5 Heb. 2:17–18; Heb. 4:15; Isa. 52:13–14
Heb. 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Heb. 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Isa. 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
Isa. 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
VIII.4 This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which, that he might discharge, he was made under …
This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which, that he might discharge, he was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfill it; endured most grievous torments immediately in his soul, and most painful sufferings in his body; was crucified, and died; was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. On the third day he arose from the dead, with the same body in which he suffered; with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father, making intercession; and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.
→ VIII.4 · Of Christ the MediatorIn the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q.27 Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
→ Open Q.27Q.28 Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
→ Open Q.28