Hands And Feet Of Jesus

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

We’ve all heard the phrase, “You are the hands and feet of Jesus.” This, of course, is an exhortation to Christians to live as ambassadors of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because Jesus is no longer in this world today, but rather seated at the right hand of God the Father, we are to be His hands and His feet. Let’s look at little more carefully at what this metaphor truly means. 

Almost exclusively, when someone speaks of being the hands and feet of Jesus, they are referring to serving others: Serve the poor and the marginalized . . . Serve a cup of cold water to those who thirst . . . Serve within some ministry within the church . . . Serve those who are sick or in prison. We serve as our Lord and Savior served because He did not come to be served, but to serve others (Mark 10:45).

But I have a question for you: When was the last time you heard this metaphor being used in relation to suffering? Make no mistake: The hands and feet of our Lord Jesus Christ both served and suffered.

In the apostle Paul’s second letter to his disciple Timothy, Paul made it crystal clear what Christians should expect to experience in this life, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Suffering for the saints of God comes in a variety of forms: from storms of sickness to relationship rejections to public persecution. The list is virtually endless. Waves of challenge have been promised, and we shouldn’t be surprised when they crash over our lives. This is the deepest meaning of being the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Perhaps the best way to prepare ourselves for this reality is to keep in view how the hands and feet of our Lord were pierced for our transgressions. Jesus was nailed to our cross with our nails and died our death, that we might be made the children of God and live forevermore. Christian, you were the joy set before our Lord as He suffered and died in our place (Hebrews 12:2). As the hands and feet of Jesus, let us advance in this life through seasons of both serving and suffering, trusting that “This slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV).    

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!