At the Feet of Jesus

Sitting in my office, tears streamed down my face. I was a mess. My daughter had died a few months earlier, and the sorrow threatened to drown me. I felt broken, numb, and overwhelmed. I sat there desperately in need, with no idea what to do about it.

Fortunately, I wasn’t alone. My sweet coworker sat with me. Silent, she offered no words, just her presence, her tears, sharing a bit of my burden. She quietly prayed for me, seeking God’s comfort. It was during those moments she did the one thing she knew she could do.

She brought me to the feet of Jesus.

Tenderly, she led me to the One who saw my broken heart and could do what she wasn’t able to do. She knew Jesus had the power to heal; she didn’t. She knew He had the strength to sustain me through my worst nightmare. She knew that Jesus was with me, that He loved me, and would never leave me to travel this valley alone. During those sacred moments, she gently set me before His feet, reminding me of His truth.

We all need friends like that, don’t we? When we’re in our darkest moments, when we’re unable to stand on our own, when we’ve lost sight of where we’re going, we desperately need friends who will walk with us, even carry us, right to the feet of our Savior.

We need each other

In Matthew 9:1-8, we meet another person desperately in need. This man was paralyzed, trapped in his body. Imagine how hopeless he might have felt. How long must I live this way? Perhaps he felt resigned. This is it. This is my life. What a waste. Maybe there was shame. I’m worthless. I can’t do anything right. Perhaps there was blame. This is my fault. Surely I did something to deserve this.

Can you relate? Have you ever thought those same thoughts?

Fortunately, he wasn’t alone. He, too, had friends. Friends who knew Jesus healed, who believed that Jesus performed miracles and had the power to perform one in his life. Showing deep faith, they brought him before Jesus and set him at His feet. The Bible says that Jesus looked on him with compassion and said, “Be encouraged, your sins are forgiven.” Religious men bristled at His words. They believed God was the only one to forgive sins and by this statement, Jesus claimed He was, in fact, God. To further prove His words true,  Jesus healed the man physically, as well.

To offer encouragement

Imagine the joy this man felt as he stood, legs wobbly. Imagine the joy his friends experienced as they watched him walk for the first time, praising God, their faith confirmed. Imagine what it would feel like to be forgiven, healed, set free, to experience the fullness of Jesus, right at His feet.

Do you need to be brought to the feet of Jesus today? Oh, Jesus, please meet this dear one’s need for forgiveness. Please heal the hurts, the sorrows, the fear. Touch her body. Restore his soul. 

Or are you the friend who needs to bring someone else to the feet of Jesus? Open our eyes, Jesus. Help us to see those who desperately need you. Slow us down so we can be sensitive to your prompting. Give us strength to be present, to sit quietly, and to offer others the One we know fully heals every broken part.