Those that carry the Good News

What is new with me?

done a lot of school

had a wonderful thanksgiving break

My sister came to visit and help get my place ready for Christmas

clearing land for the zipline work.

What is coming up?

I have finals this week

getting ready for christmas break

getting ready to ski

Isaiah 52:1-7

Isaiah 52:1–7 (NIV)

Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength!

Put on your garments of splendor, Jerusalem, the holy city.

The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.

Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem.

Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive.

For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing,

and without money you will be redeemed.”

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “At first my people went down to Egypt to live;

lately, Assyria has oppressed them. “And now what do I have here?” declares the Lord.

“For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock,”

declares the Lord. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed.

Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know

that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I.”

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

What is this good news?

Why feet?

Why beautiful?

What is the good news? Thankfully Paul answers that for us in Romans 10. Paul quotes this exact verse from Isaiah. While writing a section on unbelief Paul writes this starting in verse 14.

Romans 10:14–15 NIV

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

So the good news is the good news about Jesus. The good news is the gospel message. Jesus’ mercy and resurrection are the good news.

So what about the feet?

Isaiah says blessed are the feet

Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

why didn’t he say hands, mind, soul, face, heart. Pretty much any other body part. the feet are the most disgusting part of the body in this culture.

“the shepherd boy scenario”

Isaiah is making the point of highlighting the worst part of us. The dirty filthy part of us is being called beautiful. And it is only beautiful because of the good news.

The message of Jesus is so good that it turns out disgusting parts beautiful. One way I have seen this play out is in the way of testimony. I have met people that have gone through some terrible things. Addiction, anger, broken families, and depression have filled their lives. And yet Jesus is still there to uplift and help them. And as they stand up from those situations they are seen as beautiful. Because there is someone who is giving glory to Jesus through the pain of this world.

So when you carry the good news you become more and more beautiful. Your scars. Your battle wounds. Your hurting.

And as you carry the good news you join the ranks of many others. you join with the company of the angels speaking to the shepherds.

Luke 2:8–12 (NIV)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”