At our staff meeting yesterday we discussed a few examples of things we are doing to glorify God by positively impacting the world. Great, Kingdom building stuff. Not all of them are “ministries” but all involve “ministry.” Today we’re going to talk about two things each of us, if we claim Jesus as our savior, must do to make this happen. These things must be done no matter our skill level, gifts, personality, strength, weaknesses or desires.

We are each called to be the HANDS and FEET of Jesus here on earth.

What does it mean to be the HANDS of Jesus? The Hands of Jesus belong to those willing to do His work. It means doing the things Jesus did. Hands are instruments of our work.

Thankfully, Jesus provides the perfect example and set of instructions to follow:

1. As Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).
2. He proved this when he washed his disciples’ feet (John 13) and even more so when he gave his life on the cross (1 John 3:16).
3. What then is expected of His followers? Jesus was clear on this as well. “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I do (John 13:14-15). Washing someone’s feet is, of course, a metaphorical act of service, but the message of humility and active kindness is a powerful reminder to us of the role we play in the world.
4. For us, it might simply mean loving, serving, being positive with others. Putting all negative talk, especially with others, away forever. It’s not okay, ever.

What does it mean to be the FEET of Jesus? The feet of Jesus belong to those willing to be moved by God. It means to be willing to go. Our feet move us places…maybe a place we don’t feel very comfortable with. The Bible is full of examples of this as well:

1. Abraham was instructed to leave his country and relatives and go to a land God would later show him (Genesis 12:1).
2. Jonah was told to go to Nineveh to preach a message of repentance to a hostile nation (Jonah 1:1-3).
3. Ruth would leave her own family to serve her mother in-law Naomi (Ruth 1:14-22)
4. For us, it might simply mean taking a step to someplace that might be a stretch for you…being a Sunday School teacher, going to Wildwood Hills Ranch or Jamaica to serve.

Being the hands and feet can be done with spouses, family, kids, grandkids, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, coworkers, or any other person. This is done by word and by deed. Our life speaks of it. God is looking for those willing to set aside their own personal comforts and interests to follow Him, step out in faith, serving and loving others. May we each press into that. The choice is ours.

Adapted from A Joel Ryan article, July 7, 2020 in Christianity.com

Picture from Chang Duong on Unsplash