Easter and the Importance of Feet

In Matthew’s telling of Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary.” At this meeting, there is the rather odd detail that the two women “took hold of his feet” (Matthew 28:9).

It’s not the first, nor the last time in the story of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection that feet play a prominent role in the story.

In John 12, Mary of Bethany (probably a different Mary from the two already mentioned, but unclear) anoints Jesus’ feet with an expensive ointment.

In John 13, Jesus washes His disciples feet.

And in Luke 24, on Easter evening, as Jesus appears to several of His followers He shows them His hands and feet, saying, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

It might sound odd, but the action of Mary and Mary to grab on to Jesus’ feet in Matthew 28 makes sure that He is not a ghost. That He is solid.

Jesus’ resurrection is a bodily resurrection. He does not rise merely as spirit. He has flesh and bones. He has feet. He eats food.

Yes, Jesus can also appear in rooms that are locked, so His resurrected body is qualitatively different than our current bodies. But your resurrected body will also have feet and hands. We will eat and drink in the new creation of eternal life. We will have bodies.

We will have feet just like Jesus.

Thanks for reading.

Andy