We got it backwards, as usual

"In our generation, the fellowship of the Spirit is often presented not as us being expendable, but as us being exalted. But Jesus took off His outer garment, asked for a towel and a bowl of water, and washed His disciples' feet. The Son of God did that. I have to remind myself, that's who is alive in me. Washing feet doesn't look very earth-shaking or life-changing. But Almighty God pursued you and wooed you and enlisted you, not only to love you, but also to love through you. That kind of truth we can't despise.

"God is a lover through you. He is the kind of lover that doesn't need rewards, doesn't need applause, doesn't need acclaim, but loves for the sake of loving."— The Rest of the Gospel: When the partial Gospel has worn you out, page 235

<idle musing>
I love the beginning of John 13

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. (RSV)

But, here I like the option for translating the Greek participles that the NET and TNIV follow (maybe others, I just haven't checked). Here's the NET Bible:

Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself.

And the TNIV:

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

They both take the participles as indicating Jesus is doing it because he knows who he is. No identity crisis, so he empties himself; shades of Paul there, aren't there :)

Here's the Greek, if prefer:

εἰδὼς ὅτι πάντα ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ πατὴρ εἰς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ θεοῦ ἐξῆλθεν καὶ πρὸς τὸν θεὸν ὑπάγει, ἐγείρεται ἐκ τοῦ δείπνου καὶ τίθησιν τὰ ἱμάτια καὶ λαβὼν λέντιον διέζωσεν ἑαυτόν·

Just an
</idle musing>