Weekly Word for February 6: How Beautiful Are Your Feet?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Jesus’ feet. I know that’s a little weird but I have. I have been wondering what they looked like. They were likely brown feet. He was a man of color, having been born in the Middle East. His feet were probably pretty tough and well worn. By the time he was in his early 30s, we know he had walked barefoot a lot. I mean he walked a lot! The stories of the New Testament, if followed closely, would indicate that he walked almost everywhere he went. We don’t have much record of travel by horseback or donkey or even by boat. He walked.

When I have visited in Israel, I am always amazed at the distance that he traveled, on foot. And the terrain was often rugged, hilly and very rocky.

I have been thinking about His feet. When my feet hurt, it seems my entire body hurts. What about you? If my shoes aren’t quite right, if I have been on my feet for a long period of time…..yikes! I am miserable. Can you relate?

Yet, I have a feeling that those well-worn, rugged feet of Jesus, often barefoot, toughened by years of miles, were tender too.

I have been thinking that perhaps my feet hurt because I am always moving very fast with them, rushing, hurrying, moving to the next place, the next event. Somehow I don’t think that was a problem for the man called Jesus. There is something to notice here, whether Christian, Jew, Muslim or Buddhist. Jesus didn’t hurry.

As we read the stories of the New Testament, it is safe to say that Jesus was always present in conversation, in caring, in reaching out to people. I imagine that although he felt urgency to his mission, he didn’t rush it. There would be time for what needed to be done. He trusted that and lived it.

He wasn’t only half paying attention when people talked with him. And unlike you and me, he wasn’t likely preparing his response while they were talking. He was still and listening. His entire being, eyes, ears, heart, soul and yes, feet, were at full attention. Slowly and carefully, listening.

I can just imagine that his disciples were hurrying him along, at times. After all, the crowds were waiting and the people were calling. They had work to do and miles to cover. But I think Jesus’ feet moved at a slower pace than perhaps they found comfortable.

There is a passage in the 52^nd book of Isaiah that reads:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news, Breaking the news that all's well,proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,telling Zion, "Your God reigns!"

As we read that verse, we think it is intended to describe the Messiah. For those of us who are Christians, that would be Christ. But the passage applies to all of us who have chosen to be His followers. And I pray the passage becomes a challenge to all of us, regardless of faith, as we live in a world with so many needs.

It makes me think, as I think about Jesus’ feet, what kind of message do I bring? Is it encouraging? Is it embracing of everyone and all people? Do I show love and compassion wherever I go? Do I walk slowly enough to encounter people in conversation and connection? Do I allow my feet to take me to the places where I can love the least of these?

I’m not sure I have the feet of Christ? Do you? I started thinking about Jesus’ feet when I recently watch the movie “Gandhi” with my daughter. Now, that was a man with Christ-like feet, hard worn, strong, dirty often and they carried him on a remarkable and meaningful journey to places were few were willing to go, to make a difference, to do what he could to bring peace to a troubled world. He often cited Christ, in fact, as the best example of one who sought to bring non-violent change.

As I laced up my super padded, made for walking, expensive pair of tennis shoes this morning, I was a little embarrassed. I am afraid I am guilty of seeking comfort for my feet, literally and figuratively. Somehow I think I’ve got a little more walking to do, likely in a little less comfortable places and circumstances and certainly at a much slower pace. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news?”

Here lately I have been doing a lot of imagining about the feet of Jesus.