BEAUTIFUL FEET!
Feet. They don’t seem to be that important an appendage. We cover them up, don’t we? Except in summer a lot of people try not to wear shoes. A lot of us think our feet are pretty ugly. I see bunions, hammer toes, calluses, and corns. The shape isn’t so great.
Of course it depends on what translation you have but in my concordance, feet are mentioned in the bible 18 times. In 2 Samuel verse 34 it says “He made my feet like hinds feet” or Proverbs 6:16-18,”There are six things which the Lord hates, seven which are an abomination to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among brother.” In Matthew 8:8, “And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” Ehw-Let’s get more positive. 1 Tim 5:10, (speaking about a widow)“and she must be well attested for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, and so on”
In Exodus 3, When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
So we come to Romans 10:11-15
The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame."
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
What does it take to become “beautiful feet?”
11 As the Scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame."
It must start with belief – you can’t be justified without believing that Jesus died for your sins – but mere belief isn’t enough to save you in that you must appropriate that belief by making the declaration that Jesus is your Lord.
I like that line – “no one who believes in him will be put to shame.” As much as people run down Christianity – in the end you will never feel ashamed for believing in Jesus. This was very important for the Jews – who were shamed for doing just that. The scripture reference is from Joel 2-27. “You shall know that I am in the midst of
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
There isn’t a Jewish God and a Christian God – there is only God, Yahweh. And here Paul is asserting that Jesus is God.
So next, Paul traces the root of calling on the Lord.
14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
15a And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?
So this is the chain of belief – someone has to be sent, then preach the gospel – those that are there need to hear, believe the gospel, then call on the Lord and be saved.
15b As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
This comes from Isaiah. Listen to more of it: (52:7)
7 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 Psalmist isn’t saying “my you have incredibly good looking feet.” The idea is of a runner coming with news of deliverance. That’s what the gospel is – you are a messenger of good news.
There is further explanation from Isaiah of “beautiful are the feet.” This phrase explained the times when a messenger would bring good news from the field of battle. Back then they didn’t have TV, the internet, or Fax machines, so new was communicated by messengers. Folks back then were awaiting news that the battle was waged well, that their loved ones were still alive, and that the fight was still on. Whatever the news, as we know, it is better to know the news than to not know, even when the knowing brings much pain. The “beautiful feet” is simply a way of saying a messenger with good news was a sight for sore eyes.
How many unchurched people look at their Christian friends as “a sight for sore eyes?” I know that I don’t like to open the door when I see the Jehovah Witnesses coming down the street. I hope that others don’t see me in the same light and look forward to seeing me coming down the street. I don’t proclaim the end of the world but tell others of Jesus’ life and hope and love or the Good News.
In Greek, the word for “gospel” means “good news.” For the Hebrews, bisar is about the good announcement given in battle. For Christians, the “Good News” is that Jesus has risen, conquering sin and death! You’re not telling someone to follow some code of ethics or do this thing or another – you are simply telling them what someone else did on their behalf.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Especially when those beautiful feet travel outside the church doors. God’s salvation is a gift of grace. God’s salvation does not depend upon our own works. God’s salvation includes people of all races and nations. Churches with beautiful feet intentionally speak God’s word of hope and love to all. They walk outside the doors and get acquainted with those who are not in worship or educational programs on Sunday morning. Beautiful feet are those that intentionally walk to others of all races and cultures to offer love. We as persons or as congregations may not believe that our own feet are beautiful. We may underestimate God’s gifts in us. We may doubt that we have much of value to offer to those who are outside the faith. The truth is that we offer who we are as willing listener, speaker, and doers of God’s word of love and hope. Beautiful feet offer God’s good news in many ways. It may mean being present with someone at a time of grief. We might learn a new language to express solidarity with a cultural group living in our area. We can open our church to the community for other support groups that meet a variety of needs. As we offer our feet, we praise God who gave us the potential to share love in this bruised world.
So – you and I are to be a witness. How do we do that?
There are many different ways to share your faith. There are those who would not feel uncomfortable standing up on the lunch table and preaching to the cafeteria - evangelists. There are people who are determined to take the word of God to distance places - missionaries. Not everyone is used like this. God doesn’t call everyone to be a foreign missionary. We are, however, all of us called to share our faith. This is the great commission. The natural place to start is with the people you naturally meet every day.
