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We don’t normally think of feet as “beautiful”. But Isaiah 52:7 (NLT) says, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
In ancient times messengers were sent from the battlefield to bring the news of who had won the war, or who had been crowned king. They didn’t have television or radio to make the announcement, so these messengers would run to the capital city to proclaim what everyone was waiting to hear.
The city in view here is Jerusalem. It is surrounded by mountains, so the runner would have to come over the mountains to deliver the news. Watchmen were posted on the city walls waiting for the report to arrive. Day after day they would stand, looking at the horizon, hoping to see the messenger.
Isaiah 52:8 (NLT) tells us: The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the LORD returning to Jerusalem! Oh, my! Not just any messenger. The LORD Himself arrives.
These verses were written by the prophet Isaiah during the time of Assyrian captivity when Israel longed to return to Jerusalem. Isaiah 52:9 (NLT) then says, Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the LORD has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. God gave this message to Isaiah to help the people look forward to the day when He would demonstrate his holy power before the eyes of all the nations and all the ends of the earth (would) see the victory of God (Isaiah 52:10, NLT). We too are waiting for that day.
Not long ago I was reading the story of the woman who extravagantly anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume and then wiped them with her hair. Suddenly I thought of this verse from Isaiah and how beautiful Jesus’ feet were to this woman.
She had heard Jesus had been invited to dinner by Simon the Pharisee, so she went to find Him. She brought with her a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. The guests were already reclining at the table when she arrived. Then she knelt behind (Jesus) at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them (Luke 7:37-38, NLT).
What an incredibly intimate moment!
Simon was disgusted that this “immoral” woman was touching Jesus. And he reviled Jesus in his heart, saying to himself: “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39, NLT).
Jesus was not offended. Rather He used the opportunity to teach Simon about forgiveness. He told a parable about two men who owed a “certain moneylender” money. “Neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts.” Jesus asked Simon, “Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon rightly answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt” (Luke 7:42-43, NLT).
Jesus then highlighted everything Simon had not done and everything the woman had done and said: “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.” Then He turned to the woman and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” (Luke 7:47-50, NLT)
God Himself had arrived on the scene to forgive her and tell her the good news of salvation and peace.
Only a few short days after this, those beautiful feet were nailed to a cross so all who believed in Him could be forgiven and saved from the penalty of their sins.
This woman’s story always stirs my heart. It causes me to want to love Jesus more deeply and be willing to pour out my life extravagantly as an offering to Him. We paint our toes to have beautiful feet; but I think there is another way. We can be messengers of Jesus’ love and share the good news of salvation and peace with those who need to hear it.
One day Jesus will return and His beautiful feet will stand on the Mount of Olives before He enters Jerusalem to be King forever. And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshiped (Zecheriah 14:9, NLT).
So many today struggle with anxiety, fear, and depression. They are looking for answers, longing for hope, and don’t know where to begin. I wonder if the feet of Jesus is a good starting place? We can be messengers and share the hope we have in Jesus who died for us, forgave our sin, and is coming again to reign as King forever.
Kim Prothro
Kim fell in love with Jesus and studying God's word in the eighth grade. That eventually led to a dream of attending seminary which she did after her children were grown. She graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2013 with a Masters in Theology and was part of the original group of women who founded Womenary in 2008. She has been a past professor for Womenary and is currently the Director of Soul Care at Living Well Holistic Counseling and Wellness Center. Kim can be contacted at kim.prothro@gmail.com. 
