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!”
Isaiah 52:7 NIV
When my feet step out upon a mountain trail, I am at home. In the quiet breeze moving through the woody branches overhead, I find my peace. The only sound interrupting the music of the songbirds, is the rhythmic gait of my soles on the hardened ground. I own a pair of worn but reliable hiking boots that carry me through the creeks and over the crests. Recently I purchased a new pair at a nearby farm store. However, I’m reluctant to make a change since they’re not quite as comfortable. My broken-in old friends have accompanied me on many an adventure. Even though they look a bit shabby, I’m not about to abandon them just yet.
Often I take for granted this ability to climb, hike and walk just about any place I desire. I’m well aware that many people through accidents or poor health, lose their lower extremities, making it impossible for them to ambulate on their own. With the miracle of modern medicine and artificial limb prostheses, these same people are able to walk and sometimes even run. My job, in part, is to help my patients maintain the health of their feet so they never have to utilize this technology. No, I’m not a podiatrist, just a family physician. However, with the incidence of diabetes skyrocketing in the last few years, I pay more attention to these very important appendages.
Little do most people realize, but the health of your feet can tell a lot about the condition of the rest of your body. Beautiful feet are a window into your overall well-being. But people in general are extremely sensitive about their feet. They’ll undress everything else during an exam, but invariably leave on their socks. After I reiterate that I do need the socks off too, I get a number of comments. “My feet are ugly. You don’t really want to see them, right?” Or “I warn you. They’re going to stink!” After a while though, my diabetic patients get the idea. Any more, they’re ready with their shoes and socks off before I walk in the room.
But I’m not the first one to have people balk when asked to show their feet. When Jesus and his followers met for what was their last meal together before He died, Jesus did something extraordinary. It was customary before this type of gathering for the dust and grime to be washed off the feet of the guests. Typically, this was the lowliest of jobs, reserved only for a servant. However, on this night, Jesus took off his outer robe and wrapped a towel around his waist. He brought a basin of water and kneeled before each of the disciples to perform this menial task . Peter was the first to protest. But Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”1 He then lovingly cleansed all their feet and asked them to do the same for each other.
Jesus calls us yet today to serve each other as He served His followers so long ago. This simple act of foot washing leaves the participants both humbled and vulnerable. Do we allow such intimacy now, even with those closest to us? If we are willing, Jesus shows us how to give and to receive this kind of extraordinary love. How beautiful are the feet that bring this Good News on the most sacred of days when we celebrate God’s gift of salvation to the world!
May the wonder and blessing of Easter be yours today and forever!
1John 13:8 NIV
