Nougat 10

This second week of Advent, we look to Jesus our Prince of Peace. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“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!” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peace-Bearing Feet

I’ve been fascinated with feet for a while. Now thinking about it, my fascination is connected to our nougat and Jesus’ act of foot washing. For me, both texts invite us to think about where the feet have been and what makes them so important.

With the exception of a few creatures, all land animals have feet, including us humans. The human ‘foot has 26 bones, over 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These structures work together to carry out two main functions:

Bearing weight

Forward movement (propulsion)

The foot must be flexible to adapt to uneven surfaces and remain stable when you’re walking.’ (Wikipedia)

When the prophet drew our attention to the feet of the messenger, he was not really focusing on the anatomy of the feet. Nor was his focus the condition of the messenger’s feet. I believe that the way the messenger’s feet moved suggested that what was coming was news of peace. And in a ravaged land, any envoy bearing news of peace was welcome.

This wasn’t any ordinary messenger of peace however, as the person was ushering in the news of God’s reign, which would usher in cessation of hostilities with God and an end to exile through the restoration of God’s divine order. Peace of any other kind is temporary. In reading the Gospels, I believe that Isaiah was prophesying of John the Baptist as the ‘messenger of Peace’, as he was Jesus’ fore-runner.

Hence, John’s famous sermon line, ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness, preparing the way of our Lord!’, is that proclaimed message of Peace. This was fulfilled about 2000 years ago (the first Advent). But, as believers, we trust that Christ will come again. And that’s when His eternal salvation will be available for all who believe. So many people have not yet heard that Good News!

And that’s where you and I come in. I believe that regardless of our balance, mobility, foot size, etc., we are the messengers called to run along the mountains, to usher in much-needed Peace. To announce the end of exile in a world currently inundated with wars, to share with others about the cessation of hostilities with God through the restoration of God’s divine order.

This very minute, someone is looking to the hills in the hope of seeing a messenger’s feet darting to and fro with the message of Peace. Is that messenger one of us? What shall we say?

—

May all we seek be found in Christ