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There are many issues in life that we solely discover once they fail us, reminiscent of lifts, microphones, money dispensers and flush bogs. Recently, after plodding by way of airport terminals lengthy sufficient to earn me air miles, I’ve been reminded that ft match into that class.
Feet are important – over a median lifetime we stroll between 75,000 and 100,000 miles – and any drawback with them significantly impacts our life.
It’s hardly stunning, then, that the Bible makes 162 references to ft within the Old Testament, and 75 within the New Testament, together with 27 references to the ft of Jesus. After all, as a result of it’s our ft that take us the place we go, they communicate of our lives.
Let me supply 5 ideas on ft.
First, ft communicate of committing our life to Christ. In the traditional world there was no motion extra profound than to fall or kneel at somebody’s ft. It was a gesture of humility – even humiliation – by which you acknowledged that they have been your grasp, a dramatic bodily expression of the phrases ‘you’re my lord’. In the New Testament, many individuals fall on the ft of Jesus (for instance Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 10:38-42, 17:16, Revelation 1:17). While we can’t bodily bow on the ft of Jesus at this time, no true Christian life begins with out us falling spiritually at his ft.
Second, ft communicate of commencing our life to Christ. We ‘get to our ft’ to behave. There’s a sensible dynamic there: ft are all about doing and going, appearing and reacting. One pressing and ignored fact about Christianity is that it calls for motion. The Christian life is led by religion, however it’s expressed in works. Many individuals discuss what they want to give and do for God and his church however, alas, are nonetheless endlessly speaking when their finish comes. The fact is that the last word concern will not be utilizing our tongue to speak, however our ft to stroll. Act for God: do not let the grass develop below your ft.
Third, ft communicate of continuous our life for Christ. John Bunyan known as his well-known e-book The Pilgrim’s Progress, and it footage the Christian life as simply that: the progress of a person, step-by-step, on the lengthy, arduous highway of life. As an evangelist I usually have individuals inform me that they’ve determined to comply with Jesus. I’m delighted. I’m much more delighted when, years later, I hear from some pastor or buddy that they’re nonetheless strolling with the Lord.
The Bible talks about ft within the Christian stroll. Proverbs 4:26-27 (NIV) says, ‘Give cautious thought to the paths to your ft and be steadfast in all of your methods. Do not flip to the appropriate or the left; maintain your foot from evil.’ It provides encouragements: Psalm 119:105 says, ‘Your phrase is a lamp for my ft, a lightweight on my path,’ and Psalm 119:133, ‘Direct my footsteps in line with your phrase; let no sin rule over me’ (NIV). We are given the Bible to light up even the darkest paths we should tread. Indeed, God does greater than supply knowledge, he guarantees to return alongside when the highway will get arduous: ‘He won’t let your foot slip – he who watches over you’ll not slumber’ (Psalm 121:3 NIV).
Note, too, that in our treading the highway of life, we should assist others discover their ft on it. Romans 10:15 (quoting Isaiah 52:7) says, ‘How lovely are the ft of those that carry excellent news!’ (NIV). Here’s a quote from Billy Graham: ‘The highest type of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The biggest type of reward is the sound of consecrated ft looking for out the misplaced and helpless.’
Fourth, ft communicate of the price of our life for Christ. Feet within the Bible are sometimes seen negatively. In an age of sandals, ft obtained sweaty, dirty and have been, in each sense, unclean. At the tip of the working day you or your servant (should you had one) washed your ft clear. This is the background to Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ ft (John 13:1-17), an motion so outrageous that it lacks any precedent within the historic world.
There’s a message right here about involvement that parallels our expression of ‘getting your palms soiled’. It’s simple at this time to hunt to reply to others from behind the safety of a pc or cellphone display screen. Yet our world wants actuality, not cosy virtuality. We have to be current in church companies, to shake palms with individuals, to embrace the unloved and to go to see the lonely. Our Christian religion have to be not solely labored out however walked out, and that comes with a value in wounds, bruises and dust. It’s a problem to do not forget that when the risen Jesus appeared to his disciples, he confirmed them his personal pierced ft (Luke 24:39-40). Do our ft bear proof that we’ve got served?
Fifth, ft communicate of the conclusion of our life for Christ. We should commit, begin and proceed the Christian life and bear its price. But we will additionally look past the customarily painful and unsafe highway that lies earlier than us to its last and wonderful conclusion.
In the face of trial and temptations we might be inspired by Romans 16:20 (NIV): ‘The God of peace will quickly crush Satan below your ft.’
Many smartwatches alert us once we’ve spent too lengthy at our desks and it is time to get to our ft and stroll about. We want the non secular equal. Around the Lord’s banquet desk in eternity there will probably be a time to place our ft up, however not till then. In the meantime, let’s rise and stroll for Jesus.
Canon J.John is the Director of Philo Trust. Visit his web site at www.canonjjohn.com or comply with him on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
