Beautiful Feet

Beautiful Feet

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:5-17

And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15 NLT)

Have you ever looked at a person’s feet? Some feet are just plain ugly. I knew a friend who had ugly feet. Jim was afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis and his toes were twisted one on top of the other in a grotesque manner. I don’t know how he ever walked. He certainly could not wear shoes, but somehow he managed to navigate around the house. He reminded me of King Saul’s son, Mephibosheth who was crippled as a child when his nurse dropped him while running away in fear. The lad’s feet became lame with what we call a “club foot.”  I never thought of feet as beautiful until I read what God has to say about beautiful feet in Romans 10:15.

     In Jesus’ day sandals were the normal footwear. The roads were dusty and rough. During the rainy season a person’s feet would become caked with mud. Not a very pretty sight. It was the task of the servants to wash the feet of guests as they arrived at a person’s house. It would be considered an insult and rude if this task was not performed.

     When Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples he decided it was time to teach his friends a lesson in humility and servitude. He took a basin of water and a towel and proceeded to wash the disciples’ feet. Why did he do this? If you remember, prior to the meal the disciples were arguing who would be greatest in the kingdom. Not one of them was willing to humble himself and wash the feet of Jesus and his friends. They all sat down at the table with dirty feet. Jesus used the occasion to teach them that a servant must be willing to humble himself in order to reach others with the gospel.

     During the days of the service in the Tabernacle, the priests were required to wash their hands and feet in the wash basin sitting right outside the door. “Next Moses placed the wash-basin between the Tabernacle and the altar. He filled it with water so the priests could wash themselves. Moses and Aaron and Aaron’s sons used water from it to wash their hands and feet. Whenever they approached the altar and entered the Tabernacle, they washed themselves, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Exodus 4030-32 NLT)

     Are you using your feet to carry the good news of God’s love to people in your locality? Whether you wear sandals, shoes, or no shoes, God says your feet are beautiful.

Prayer: Dear Lord, use my feet to take the Good News to lost people wherever they may be found.