“The Sandals” - From the series With Eyes Wide Open - Bethel church Online

Bethel church Online – “The Sandals” – Luke 15:20-23 - John 13:2-17 – 5-19-2024

Luke 15:20-23 (NLT) 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Cambridge Sandals: a light shoe, especially worn in warm weather, consisting of a bottom part held onto the foot by straps:

Biblical: Sandals: A kind of shoe, consisting of a sole fastened to the foot

Items worn to protect the feet. Ancient shoes are well known from paintings, sculptures, and carved reliefs. The shoe was considered the humblest article of clothing and could be bought cheaply. Two types of shoes existed: slippers of soft leather and the more popular sandals with a hard leather sole. Thongs secured the sandal across the insole and between the toes. Although shoes could be bought at a low price, they were often repaired by the poor. Shoes were removed at the doorway of the tent or house, or during a period of mourning. Shoes were also removed as evidence of humility in the presence of kings. The removal of the guest's sandals was the job of the lowliest servant who was also required to wash the dusty and soiled feet of the visitor. See Foot Washing. In early Israel, legal contracts and oaths were often sealed with the removal and giving of a shoe by one party (Ruth 4:7 ). Going barefoot was a sign of poverty and reproach. Isaiah walked barefooted to symbolize the impending poverty of Israel before the judgment of God (Isaiah 20:2 ). During New Testament times, Jewish practice forbade the wearing of sandals with multilayered leather soles nailed together, as this was the shoe worn by Roman soldiers.

John 13:2-17 (NLT) 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

In the Bible, sandals can symbolize sonship, healing, kindness, and tender mercies. When a father gives his son shoes, it can mean that the son is no longer a slave or hired servant, but is welcome back into the household as his son.

In the Bible, taking off one's shoes can also be a sign of respect, humility, or reverence. For example, Moses stood on holy ground and took off his shoes, and Joshua was told to take off his sandals by the Captain of the Lord's Army in Joshua 5:15.

In the Bible, sandals can symbolize a number of things, including:

Humility and servant hood

Sandals can represent the humility and servant hood required for those who carry out Jesus' mission. For example, in Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist says he is not worthy of carrying the Lord's sandals.

Readiness for action

Sandals can symbolize readiness for action, such as when Jesus asks his disciples to wear sandals, which means to be ready to welcome an experience of God.

Minimum possessions

Sandals can be an example of the need for minimum possessions in God's service.

Respect in the presence of God

Sandals can be a mark of respect in the presence of God, as seen in Exodus 3:5.

In the Bible, different types and colors of shoes can carry different symbolic meanings. For example, royal or golden shoes can denote authority and kingship.

Sandals were normally worn by officials, soldiers, or messengers, while the poor often walked barefoot. Sandals were made primarily from leather and were fastened to the feet with leather cords that went around the ankle and partway up the calf.

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Romans 6:13 (NLT) 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.