FOOT, FEET
The Hebrews were so much accustomed to use parable and figure in their discourses, and gesture in their conversation, to convey to each other their meaning, rather than by words, that it is no wonder so many and various meanings should be conveyed by one and the same way. Thus by feet they meant to denote every thing that was humble, and conceal every thing immodest. "A wicked man, (saith Solomons) speaketh with his feet." (Proverbs 6:13) The sense is, by motions of his feet he conveyed somewhat indecent and unbecoming "To leave off the sandals from the feet," was an indication of sorrow, and of great humility. Thus Ezekiel mourned for his wife. (Ezekiel 24:17) And Moses was commanded at the bush to put off his shoes, in token that the ground where he then stood was holy ground. (Exodus 3:5) To sit at the feet of another, implied humility. (1 Samuel 25:24) Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. (Luke 7:38) To cover the feet, was a phrase used to imply attending to the wants of nature. Thus Ehud. (Judges 3:24) "To open the feet to every one that passed by," was an expression of whoredom (Ezekiel 16:25) These phrases serve to throw a light upon the subject in general.
But if these things were so, and every action relative to the feet carried with it somewhat of a special nature, think what unequalled humbleness that was in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of life and glory, when he condescended to wash the feet of poor fishermen. (See John 13:3-8) And what tends to endear this action of Christ the more is, that it was at a season, we are told, when all things were given into his sovereign hands. Never surely, was there an instance of equal humility. Poor vain man, that hath nothing, yea, is himself worse than nothing, is proud. But Jesus, who hath all things, and is himself infinitely superior to all things, is unequalled in humility. It were to be wished, that all his redeemed felt more of this spirit of their Lord. And it were to be wished, that every poor, tried, and humble believer, would never lose sight of this feature of character in the Lord Jesus Christ. And let any man, and every man, determine the point for himself: When is Jesus most lovely, most dear, and precious? Is it not when he is most condescending? Suppose the Lord Jesus were to wash my feet, as he did Peter's, would not such an act of grace overwhelm my poor heart with love? Yea, would not the Lord Jesus be the more exalted to my view and in my esteem when in his matchless grace he had been most condescending? How sweet are such views of Jesus!