Most of us enjoy surprises and opening presents. I enjoy watching the expressions of joy on the faces of little ones when they get a pair of new shoes. They can hardly wait to wear, show off, and tell everyone about their new shoes. Sharing in their joy and seeing the smiles on their faces is worth it to any parent who has just made the purchase.

The Bible also mentions shoes or sandals. In Deuteronomy 29:5 we read, "During the forty years that I [the LORD your God] led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet." In the third chapter of Exodus we read about Moses and the burning bush. Moses was instructed to take off his sandals for the ground where he was standing was holy ground. The story is repeated in Acts 7:33 where we read, "Then the Lord said to him [Moses], 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground.'" Joshua in Joshua 5:15 was also instructed to take off his sandals. The ground was holy for God was present.

We read of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; John 1:26; and Acts 13:25 who considered himself unworthy to even carry or untie the shoes [sandals] of Jesus. In Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist said, "I [John the Baptist] baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." We also read in Luke 3:16, "John answered them all, 'I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.'"

Little children love to share their "new" shoes with all those they come in contact with. I doubt their reactions would be the same if they opened the box and found an old worn out pair of sneakers. The newness and freshness is something that has to be shared and shown off. Likewise, John the Baptist had something "new" to tell the world about. He couldn't wait and was eager to report the good news of Jesus Christ.

John listened to God and was used mightily of Him. He obeyed God and; therefore, Isaiah 40:3 was fulfilled. John the Baptist also knew who he was in Christ. In Matthew 3:14 he asked Jesus, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" Jesus replied in verse 15, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." John, even though he felt unworthy to untie our Savior's sandals, consented to baptize Jesus for he knew he had to do his part to fulfill the will of God.

We also are called to wear our shoes proudly as we follow in Christ's footsteps. In 1 John 2:5-6 we read, "But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." May our prayer be like that of the Psalmist in Psalm 119:133, "Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me." Amen.