Beautiful Feet

by G. Jarvie | Category: General | Apr 1962

In Isaiah 52.7 we read, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings!" Glad tidings He has proclaimed to our distressed and sinful race. A marvellous change has been wrought in countless lives, because He came to where we were, that we might go where He is now. He crossed the mountains to find us, and He drew us by His love. His feet are beautiful and glorious in the glad tidings that He brought.

In Romans 10.15 we read, "How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!" So we also can have beautiful feet. In many ways we seem to be so unlike Him. He was patient, but we are so often impatient. He was meek and lowly in heart, while we are often self-willed and proud. And yet, we know that keeping company with Him has wrought a change in us. Even now we are being transformed into His image.

He left His heavenly home, "crossing the mountains " to reach us. It cost Him much to come here, for we remember how He said, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head" (Matthew 8.20). It cost Him that, and more, to reach us, and beautiful indeed upon the mountains His feet have been to us. It was costly to reach us, but He emptied Himself and did it. Well may we adore Him!

We remember how He said, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold : them also I must bring" (John 10.16). Where are those sheep, and how can they be brought? They are across the mountains, and we must go and fetch them. We cannot send and tell them to come to us, for they cannot come. Someone must go to them, that is the only way to reach them. But that will cost something, for mountains are not easily crossed. We all have home ties, and it is easier to speak to our own people, for we speak their language, and their customs are ours also.

Then also there will be expense. To send workers will be costly, and workers are needed, if we are to reach those others for whom He died. Yes indeed, it is not only those who go who must lose and sacrifice in this matter of crossing the mountains. Those who go must sacrifice to go, and those who remain must sacrifice to send them. But the more we love Him, so much the more will we gladly sacrifice for His sake.

Is that all then? Can we pay the debt we owe by some going, and the rest providing the means? Will that show our appreciation of our Master for crossing the mountains to reach us? No, not enough yet. We must love the people across the mountains. Those who go, must go compelled by love, and those who remain must pray constrained by love. We must love the other sheep for whom He died. Our prayer must be sacrificial prayer, costing us time and emotion. What are you willing to lose; dear brother, dear sister, so that those other sheep may be reached? Someone has written

Measure thy life by toss instead of gain,

Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth."

"If I am poured out as a drink offering ... I rejoice," wrote Paul (Philippians 2.17. R.V.M.). Let us ponder it again today. What is it costing us to reach those for whom He died ? Is He calling us to go, and are we holding back? Some are needed at home, and some are needed abroad, for the field is the world. Crossing the mountains is not a work to which all are called, but there are men among us today who are fitted for such a work. Have any of them heard the call? And are they preparing themselves for it ? We need to be in the prime of life, physically, mentally, and spiritually, for work abroad, and there are many among us who are just so.

Who will answer, gladly saying,

Here am I, send me, send me

True, you will be missed at home. But if you are not missed at home, you will be little help abroad. You rejoice in the glad hope of the Lord's coming, and all the precious truths that have been revealed to us. You enjoy the fellowship of the saints, and the sweetness of the Remembrance. The conferences too are a cheer to your spirit. Some things you will miss, if you set out to cross the mountains, to reach the other sheep for whom He died. Sometimes you will be lonely, and many things will try your spirit, but if He constrains you, what can you do but go? He was homeless here for your sake. Are you willing to suffer loss for His sake? Very beautiful His feet have been to you. Will not your feet be beautiful to others? Ought they not to know Him as you know Him, and to enjoy His Remembrance as you enjoy it? Do not seek to go, if He does not send you, but if you have strength and opportunity, be sure to offer yourself to Him, to send you, if He will. Happy indeed you will be if you have the privilege of crossing the mountains for His sake, who crossed them for your sake.

To all of us there is granted the opportunity of sacrificial giving and sacrificial prayer - losing for Christ's sake and the gospel's sake (Mark 8.85); losing what otherwise we might spend upon unnecessary things; losing with a purpose; losing our time also, so that we might spend it in sacrificial prayer. " Life is all too brief to spend in fruitless ease."

It can be done! Those other sheep can be reached, but only by the sacrifice and service of our faith. Some men have given time, talents and money to reach the snowy top of Everest, and thus to gain a name among men. Should not we, who have the eternal glory of Christ lying before us, yield ourselves and our all to Him, who gave Himself and His all for us. We often sing:

"Love that transcends our highest powers

Demands our heart, our life, our all."

We are longing for His coming, and He that cometh shall come and shall not tarry. But how much sweeter His coming will be, if we have crossed the mountains for His sake, and reached the other sheep for whom He died.

"Not now; for I have wanderers in the distance,

And thou must call them in with patient love;

Not now; for I have sheep upon the mountains,

And thou must follow them where'er they rove.

One little hour; and then the glorious crowning,

The golden harpstrings and the victor's palm;

One little hour; and then the Hallelujah,

Eternity's long, deep, thanksgiving psalm."

G. Jarvie | Apr 1962
General