Or, for the grammatically correct readers, From whence should my confidence come? Who am I kidding, that is still probably wrong, and I’m okay with that.

My worth is not defined by whether my English grammar is prim and proper.

 

Nor by any of the other standards that might be imposed by society or individuals. I do not need to prove myself, defend myself or convince others of my virtue.  Theologically, I know I have no virtue apart from the redemption offered through Christ. Theologically, I know any accusation another may bring upon me pales in comparison to the full extent of my imperfection and outright wickedness. And yet, the Lord does not desire me to go through life like a peasant girl hushed by the nobility. Romans 8:1 tells me, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

I am condemned no longer. I once was under condemnation, but that changed when Christ redeemed me. Now I stand a free woman, accepted by God, and intended to do good works (Ephesians 2:10)

If this is all true, then why do I sometimes feel inferior. Or maybe I’m the only one?

Do you even shrink back in a crowd because you don’t feel like you fit in? Do you ever wonder what so-and-so really thinks about you, desiring acceptance but fearing rejection? Do you ever wonder what your place is in this world? Where you fit in?

Jesus never felt that way. He never wondered those things.

He knew who He was, where He fit in, what His mission was — all because He know from where He came and to where He was going.

My kids are participating in the National Bible Bee. The focus this year is on John 13-15, so we have been reading John 13-15, A LOT!  John 13 opens with the account of Jesus washing the disciples feet. But before we get to the act itself, we are given background information via run-on sentences that give the Apostle Paul some competition for run-on champ.

We are told that Jesus knew His time had come. That He would soon be leaving this world. We are told that “The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray [Jesus].”

And then we are told, “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,” proceeded to wash the feet of the disciples.

The significance of feet washing has been addressed by many: it was a yucky job, it was standard practice before entering a home, it was usually done by a servant and seen as a lowly job.

We are told at the end of the washing that Jesus did this as an example to them, that if He as Lord and Master washed their feet, they ought to do the same for one another.

It’s verse 3 that I get stuck on each and every time we read through this passage. It seems to provide us with the motive and mindset of Jesus, as the King of all kings, as the one who created all things, rises to do the job of a servant.

Jesus knew who He was, who He belonged to: knowing “He had come from God and was going back to God.”

Jesus knew what He was entitled to: “knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands.”

There was no uncertainty in the mind of our Lord. There was no doubt over His role and His purpose. There was no trepidation about how it would look for Him as teacher to take on the role of servant. Would the guys think less of me? Would they see me as weak? Would someone else see that weakness as an opportunity to take over and steal my position here?

Jesus didn’t wonder any of this – He didn’t need to – because He has full certainty in the Father. He knew that the Father had given all things into His hands. He didn’t need to grasp for power, or grasp for respect, His Father ordained all that would take place and Christ could rest in that certainty. Earthly power and respect were not what He sought after. He didn’t just have earthly power, but all power. And He didn’t strive for temporal respect as one day every knee would bow before Him.

He didn’t need to fear what others would think about his actions, how they would be interpreted, because He knew His place – He came from God and was returning to God. His position, His future was secure. The opinions of man were meaningless because the opinion of the Father was already determined. Jesus was secure in all that He did because His aim wasn’t to please fickle man, but to please the Father. He sought solely to obey and honor the Father, and thus the opinions and perspectives of man were irrelevant.

As I have meditated on this one verse over the past few weeks, I have grown increasingly convinced that I will find abundant freedom when I can not only say, but also allow this truth to be my heartbeat no matter what the situation: “I know I belong to God and will be going to Him one day.”

When I can evaluate my life not based on the opinions of others, and not even based on my own earthly evaluation of what makes me valuable, but solely based on my association with the Lord, I will be free from a fear of man.

When I am seeking to honor Christ and am walking in obedience, then the naysayer who criticized homeschooling, or the discourager who is sure a business pursuit will fail, or the critic who offers a negative book review – none of that will matter, none of that will faze me. I will be able to say, “I know to whom I belong and my work is for Him.”

But even more, when I can mirror Jesus’ mindset, not only will I not be fazed by those people, I’ll be free to even serve them!

As Jesus washed the feet of the one who would soon betray Him, serving that one in the same manner that He served the other 11, I then surely can serve those who bring criticism. I can even serve them in the midst of their criticism, because my service to them is not about them, but is about the Lord. My service to them is not dependant upon them, it’s dependant upon my remembering who I am in Christ, and the royal call upon my life.

The King’s son does not need to impress the people – his royalty is not at all dependant upon their opinions. His royalty is secure because of who his father is. So he is free to be and act without fear of rejection.

You and I, dear child if THE KING, do not need to seek the approval of people. We do not need to garner support and favor from our fellow man.  We are children of THE KING, we are joint-heirs with Christ, our royalty is secure, not because of us but because of who our Father is. Let that truth free you from a fear of man. Let that truth propel you to serve others, as Christ came to serve. Let us stand firm and confident, not because we are great and wonderful, but because God has accepted us; our value and our future are secure in Him.