WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST 2020

Over the weekend, we had the most beautiful sunny weather, and having been out a long walk on Saturday afternoon, I took off my walking boots with a sigh of relief, and got out a pair of sandals to put on which would be much cooler on my feet.

As I looked at the inside of the sandal I saw written there, “anti stress”. I guess the manufacturer wants people who wear these shoes to think they will cushion the wearers feet from any jarring they might encounter as they walk along.

This thought that both made me smile, and brought to my mind the words contained in

Ephesians 6 : 15, “............... and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."

The verse comes from the passage which speaks about how Christians need to clothe themselves each day with the full armour of God each day in order to be protected from anything the enemy may throw in our path to injure us, or send us off track.

Paul in writing likens the armour to that worn by Roman soldiers, and shoes were an important piece of armour.

A soldier’s shoes formed the foundation of his armament. In those days, the foot soldiers of the empire relied on walking as their primary means of transportation, so the ability to move easily and comfortably was a necessity for them.

In addition, they needed to be able to step about in battle without thinking about where they placed their feet. They needed solid footing in order to concentrate on the battle at hand. The hobnails on their shoes made it easier to hold their ground or navigate through difficult terrain.

Day after day we read in the gospels of how Jesus walked the roads bringing news of the coming kingdom of God to those he met, proclaiming in word and deed the good news of salvation, of healing, of forgiveness, of renewed hope, of life.

The gospel message that Jesus brought was about a coming government of God on earth and what we should be doing to prepare for it.

Jesus gave a charge to His disciples, whose feet were to be firmly planted in the gospel: The good news of His coming Kingdom was to be shared and spread.

“He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick”

The disciples carried out His command! “So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere”

His final command to His disciples, sometimes called “the Great Commission,” contains the same instruction. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you to the end of the age”

The feet of those disciples, who were delivering that message of peace, are described as beautiful: “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good news!’

Day after day we read in the gospels of how Jesus walked the roads bringing news of the coming kingdom of God to those he met, proclaiming in word and deed the good news of salvation, of healing, of forgiveness, of renewed hope, of life.

As His followers so we too have this same message of hope to share with those we meet along the road of life.

So..................off you go...................into this new day, shod with the gospel which brings peace. And may you know the confidence of the Lord who is with you always.