“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,  rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.“– John 13:3-5

How do you determine your self worth? To whom or what do you look for validation or security in your personhood?

Jesus offers a brilliant picture of healthy sense of self when He washed His disciples feet.

In John 13, We discover that:

1) Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart to the Father. He was assured that He had loved those who had been entrusted to Him until the end (He did what He had been called to do).

2) He knew that the Father had given all things into His hand (He knew the authority God had given Him).

3). He knew that He had come from God and was going back to God (He knew whose He was, where He’d come from, and where He was going).

From this place of knowledge of God, knowledge of Himself, and knowledge of His purpose on earth, He did an interesting thing.

He stooped. He served. He took a towel and washed His disciples feet.

His disciples hadn’t been wearing tennis shoes and walking on paved roads. No, they were likely wearing sandals and walking on extremely dirty roads.

Feet were filthy. He didn’t mind. He knew who He was and was confident in what was His.

And this freed Him to serve without restraint. Without fear of being rejected. Without fear of being looked down upon or criticized.

Through His example, we learn:

1) Healthy confidence stems from assurance that we have been created in the image of God – that while the world may say our noses need correction or our faces need lifting or our tummies need tucking, God looks at us and sees His work of art.

2) The God who was not ashamed to wash his friends dirty feet is not ashamed to wash our dirty hearts and call us His friends. And while Scripture says that even our mother and father may forsake us, God never will.

3) We can be full of peace and contentment in the portion God has given us knowing that He will fulfill His purpose for us, just as He fulfilled His purpose for Christ.

4) Truly confident people aren’t afraid to serve. Only the truly secure person can be truly humble and confident at the same time. They aren’t looking out for themselves because they know they are loved and valued and provided for by God.

While this world places value on beauty, wealth, fame, popularity, success, God places value on all human beings regardless of their status, rank, or job title.

The God who created us, called us, loves us with an everlasting love, washes and redeems us from our sins, and empowers us with purpose to live a life of honor and good work unto Him says, “you are made in my image – and I don’t make mistakes!”

So receive His love, take a towel, and stoop lower to see with new eyes for humanity.

When you do, you will be following in the footsteps of the King of Kings.