Beautiful Feet

I was listening to a bit of Handel’s Messiah – “How Beautiful Are The Feet” – which got me to thinking about how much walking our Savior did.  I mentioned in a previous blog about the modes of travel in that first century.  The majority walked.  That got me to thinking about footwear and some I’ve seen recently. 

And some I remember from history.

The shoe on the left is from China.  I’ve seen examples in a museum. Real ones that had been worn by women displaying a certain status. Their feet were bound so that most could not walk but had to be carried.  The practice lasted about a thousand years, outlawed in 1949, though some continued the practice, perhaps even today.

On the right is a screen capture of a current style, the cost is about $200.  The shape and style is not as confining as the other, but is not designed for a normal walking process.

Both are considered stylish for their own time and social status, but neither are conducive to walking up and down the dusty roads of Judea in that first century.  It is of those feet the scripture and the hymn were written.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isaiah 52:7 KJV)

And repeated:

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15 KJV)

The context was similar, too – becoming acquainted with our Lord.

Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. (Isaiah 52:6 KJV)

Paul’s concerned was how they would know His name.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14 KJV)

Paul wanted people, all people, to know what he and I both believe:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13 KJV)

This is the same message Jesus carried from Capernaum thru Samaria past Jerusalem throughout Judea.  I’ve read one person’s calculations, based on the gospel stories, that Jesus walked over three thousand miles during his three-year ministry.

Where can we walk with the beautiful feet of ministry?  Where does God want us to walk?  How many of us have asked Him?