Feet in the Bible – Topical Bible Study
Introduction: Feet is
what helps make man mobile; even the fanciest cars require the use of
feet. All throughout the Bible, feet are
carrying man somewhere either physically or metaphorically. The term “put feet to your actions” implies
that the act of moving, going, and progressing are all pictured by our feet.
What do humans do
with their feet?
·
Scheming evil. ”For their feet run to evil, and make haste
to shed blood.” – Proverbs 1:16
·
Anointing Jesus. “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of
spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with
her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” – John 12:3
What should humans do
with their feet?
· Shaking off the dust. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor
hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a
testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for
Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” Mark 6:11
· Feet prepared to move for the gospel’s sake. “And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace;” Ephesians 6:15 [One might argue our legs have been given to
us so that we can carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.]
· Wash one another’s feet. “12 So after he had washed their feet, and
had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what
I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I
am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to
wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do
as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not
greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:12-17 [Three
errors are usually made on this point:
1. Is to dismiss the notion that
this could be an optional ordinance of foot washing. As long as the church understands the
symbolic act here given, there is nothing wrong with performing it. It is such
a submissive act, however, that women should wash women’s feet and men should
wash men’s feet or a married couple should wash one another’s feet. 2.
Missing the point that this is not just about physically washing one
another’s feet; it is about serving one another with the love of God in
humility. Instead of arguing with one
another, wash one another’s feet – and so the giving of love is greatly
enhanced. 3. A third error is believing one can find
something else in modern society equivalent to this foot washing. The stooping down, the placing of oneself
underneath another person without being crass, and the washing off the dirt of
the world is such a humble act – no other act is like unto it – washing of
feet.]
Jesus and feet
· Jesus washing feet. John 13:5, “After that he poureth water into
a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with
the towel wherewith he was girded.”
· Jesus crucified. John 19 – Jesus
was crucified; however, be careful with this one as there is no specific
mention of Jesus’ feet being crucified in the gospels. There is probably
nothing here.
· Jesus Glorified. Revelation 1:15, “And his feet like unto fine
brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many
waters.”
[This sermon starter needs to be heavily
edited and possibly split into more than one sermon; the theme of feet in the
Bible by itself does not illicit any particular cohesive theme by
itself. Study these verses carefully
before presenting this information as just an academic exercise in topical
studies. Like a bread starter where you
have only the dough that must be formed and manipulated, take this sermon
starter and mold it as God sees fit.]
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