-> Will you help us Open a World of Opportunity?    
 Home > Articles > Special Features > "In Jesus' Shoes"   
In Jesus' ShoesIn Jesus' Shoes
by Dr. Jeff Lee
Print This Article   Send it to a Friend

  "No, no! I don't want your shoes," I said as my host turned puzzled. "To be in your shoes, means to put myself in your place. To think and feel like you," I explained as his anxiety lifted and smile returned. "It's only an expression!"

Such is the danger of using idioms, especially when we communicate cross-culturally. However, the ability to be in someone else's shoes is truly a unique gift from God to us.

Jesus had another plan.
Time and time again, Christ taught the disciples the important lesson of wearing His shoes:

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?" (Matthew 15:32-33 NIV)

After days of teaching, the disciples could have felt justified to send everyone home. The ministry of Jesus was spiritual. It could be easy for them to divorce physical problems from their responsibilities and to feel that they had no obligation to provide for the physical needs of those Jesus taught. Moreover, the people did not pay for a meal. "Send them away to get some food in the towns," was their solution. Jesus had another plan. "You give them something to eat!"

It is always easier to look away and even become selectively blind to the needs of those around us. Wearing Jesus' sandals will help me know and anticipate the needs of others who were previously invisible to me. Having the compassion of Christ should not be only a Christian idiom, it also must be our way of life.

 
Share Related
Print This ArticlePrint this Article

Send it to a FriendSend it to a Friend

Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.
Search

      © 2004 Dr. Jeff Lee.

      Title: "In Jesus' Shoes"
      Author: Dr. Jeff Lee
      Publication Date: June 17, 2004

 
Special Features
 
 
Hundreds more articles
like this are in the
ARTICLE ARCHIVE
...or search to find an article by keywords:

  Visit our Sponsors

Heartlight only exists because of your support! Click above to visit a sponsor, or donate to join us in our ministry.

   
May we suggest...
The Gospel According to Jesus
by John MacArthur
The Gospel According to JesusWhat did Jesus mean when he said, "Follow me"? In this 20th anniversary edition of his classic work, MacArthur warns against "easy believism," explains his understanding of biblical faith and works, emphasizes the cost of discipleship, and ...

  Find More Books & Music:
Christianbook.com

RSS Feed of All Heartlight ArticlesAll Heartlight Articles

'Special Features' RSS FeedSpecial Features

RSS Feed of Dr. Jeff Lee's ArticlesAuthor Dr. Jeff Lee

More Heartlight Feeds

Subscribe
Get Heartlight articles and devotionals by email FREE every day!
Daily Heartlight
Today's Verse
What Jesus Did!
Quotemeal

More Information

 

 

RSS Feeds  |  Advertising  |  Support Heartlight   |   Help  |  Contact Us  
HOME     topTOP HEARTLIGHT® Magazine is produced by Heartlight, Inc. HEARTLIGHT is a registered service mark of Heartlight, Inc. PO Box 7044, Abilene, TX, USA 79608-7044. Copyright © 1996-2009. Heartlight is supported by Westover Hills Church, Southern Hills Church, and loving Christians from around the world. Scripture quotations are taken from the Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. Used by permission. All rights reserved.