Going and traveling from country to country can change anyone. But, going from country to country while reading the Bible is a double whammy. Many Christians have heard the line “How beautiful are the feet that bring the good news.” It is mentioned in Isaiah and in Romans (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15). But perhaps not a lot have looked at the feet of someone called to a life of walking from place to place. They are straight nasty. Covered in cuts, blisters, anything but what someone would say is beautiful. It physically hurts and isn’t pleasing to the eye.
The word sacrifice comes to mind and brings me to when Jesus washed his followers feet. Now knowing what walking can do to the soles of my feet (and my soul) there is a deeper depth to what Jesus did. His followers walked a decent amount and everywhere he lead. Perhaps, when Jesus bent down to remove the dirt off their feet (it is really hard to get dirt off your feet after walking in sandals for days) he saw their struggles, their weakness, and slowly washed the dirt from their wounds.
How beautiful are the feet that suffer for the gospel. They represent an individual who suffers adversity in the name of love for Christ. It is a precious calling to be called away from home to walk from village to village. One that can be painful physically, emotionally, and spiritually but is fully rewarded and blessed (Matthew 19:29). The reward is eternal.
Jesus desires to guide our feet in the direction we are to go. He wants us to share his victory over death. It is his victory that we walk for, and it is his victory that makes dirty and cut up feet beautiful.
