Sweet Smelly Feet
Okay I know that sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? How in the world can feet that are smelly be sweet? Of course there is that pungent, foul, rancid, smell that might have a hint of sweetness until you open the gym bag fully getting a bigger whiff. Not your sweet from the kitchen yummy to eat treat huh?
At any rate these two descriptive terms sweet and smelly just do not seem to fit.
One would think that it takes a pretty special person to work in the industry dealing with feet. Most occupations such as a foot doctor, pedicurist, masseuse or even a shoe sales person, deal with, shall we say, all kinds of interesting smells that come from our feet. Course these particular occupations have the added task of all kinds of visuals of feet, toes and toenails to accompany the smells. Some pretty and some not so pretty.
Now to be fair and have equity, we must look at the benefits of the feet:
• They get us to our destination
• Faithful in the task of keeping our body balanced
• Key factor in move ability when it comes to exercise
• Help immensely when it comes to athletic talents.
• Makes a lady smile after painting her toenails and wiggling her toes.
• Or makes a lady’s boring day turn into a playful mischievous one by secretly painting her husband’s toenails while he is taking a nap
At any rate, it is easy to see that feet are valuable and we would not be able to do as much as we could without them.
Still, you are probably wondering about the sweet and the smelly aspect. So, say that you were required for some reason to work at a job and it was one of those jobs where it was “hands on” with the feet complete with full smell and aroma as you handle with great care and detail each foot.
Let’s just say this job was a foot massage therapist. Now imagine even further that while you are at your job, cleaning and massaging feet, your worst enemy (yikes!) came in for your service and you were obligated to put your hands on and massage their smelly feet.
Ummmm the plot thickens doesn’t it? The big question is, could you wash the feet of your enemy in all sincerity, or would you still harbor feelings of bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness? Would you quickly run out of the room so he/she wouldn’t see you? Or would you ask another co-worker to take your place? Or perhaps you might just be rude and flatly refuse.
In one of the most enduring scenes before His crucifixion, Jesus enjoyed the Passover meal with his disciples, the last meal they had together on earth. After this annual celebration, Jesus got up from His meal and began to put on the apron of a servant, knelt down and started to wash the feet of each one of His disciples. Demonstrating the importance and teaching the example of the act of service, humility and love. Reminding the disciples that a servant is not above the master and to represent Jesus in the future, they must learn to be servants.
This is the SWEET part. Jesus washed the feet of his enemy.
Can you imagine the Savior of the world as well as the teacher of the disciples humbly cleaning the smelly feet of those He taught and trained for about three years? The most amazing thing in this story is that Jesus washed the feet of His enemy, Judas. Yes, the very one that would betray him in days to come by kissing Jesus on the cheek.
The same one that would turn Him over to the Roman government, setting into play the beginning steps of Jesus being questioned by the Roman government., beaten mercilessly, then smashed against the cross in one of the most brutal types of death known to man.
The SWEETEST part of it all is that while we are sinners and enemies against Him, God still sent His Son on this earth to die for us that we might have eternal life in Him.
So in our fleshy form of a human body, we in that very nature are God’s enemies. So while we are in a filthy, smelly, dry, foul, corrupt, and downright disgusting shell, God’s Son was obedient and faithful by lovingly providing a way to clean us and makes us whole again.
Would you come to the One who is the sweet smelly foot Cleaner and allow Him to clean you and make you whole spiritually? Ask Him and He will come with an apron and towel to serve you in His greatest occupation ever – as Savior of your heart and Lord of your soul. Transforming us from enemies to friends of God
Scripture Resources:
Gospel of John chapter 13
Romans chapter 5 verses 7-9
Gospel of John 15:15
© Simone Lake 2010 ~ Deep Roots in Christ Ministries © ~ www.simonelake.com
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