Visualize someone’s feet for a moment. Think about a word you would use to describe them.
Did the word “beautiful” first come to mind when you pictured feet? I didn’t think so. LOL. The words “stinky” or “ugly,” however, might have been the first descriptors to pop into your brain.
We don’t typically think of feet as beautiful. We often think of them as calloused and dirty. In Jesus’ day, the combination of dusty roads and sandals made for some especially filthy feet.
In my last post, How Did Jesus Walk?, I wrote about the pace at which Jesus walked. Whether it was deliberate, purposeful and with a sense of urgency, or whether it was labored and slow on His way to the cross, there was no getting around dirty feet.
Imagining those layers of thickly, caked-on grime makes what Jesus did even more powerful when He washed the disciple’s feet. See John 13. The King of Kings humbled Himself, almost like a foreshadowing of how He would humble Himself on the cross. Just as the water washed away the dirt on the disciple’s feet and made them clean, Jesus’ blood would wash away all of their sin forevermore and make all people who accept Him truly clean.
Jesus instructed the disciples to do for one another what He had done for them.
Isn’t it interesting that what the world sees as stinky and dirty, God sees as beautiful and useful to help spread His message? Read Isaiah 52:7 below:
“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
The feet that bring good news are so very beautiful because they are life-giving; eternal life.
In Matthew 10, Jesus called the disciples to Him and told them to go “…to the lost sheep of Israel.” He continued, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” (Mt. 10:6-8).
Jesus wanted the disciples to get on their feet and walk to the lost sheep of Israel with the message that would save their lives. Jesus also told them, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” (Mt. 10:14).
Just as Jesus sent out the disciples, Paul later exhorted the Ephesians to the same mission, giving them ways to protect themselves against the enemy. He wrote, “…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph. 6:10-11).
Paul goes on to tell them to put on the full armor of God, which includes a word about their feet: “…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that come from the gospel of peace.” (Eph. 6:15).
Friends, are your feet clean and ready to go so that you can share the Gospel with others? Wouldn’t God love to see more and more “beautiful” feet on the mountains, in the hills, on the streets, in the neighborhoods — all bringing good news, proclaiming peace and proclaiming salvation?
As we approach Easter, let us be mindful of Jesus’ death on the cross and the cleansing power of His blood. He defeated the grave! He rose from the dead! We have the BEST NEWS EVER to share with those who desperately need to hear it.
Let’s get on our feet and share this life-changing and life-saving truth. I can think of no better way to go be radiant.
As always, I would love to see your comments.
Go Be Radiant 