Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus: What It Really Means
- Ashland Watson
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
When Christians talk about being the "hands and feet of Jesus," it shouldn't just be a poetic phrase. It actually is a powerful call to action, a way of living that reflects God's love through tangible acts of service, compassion, and presence in this world. But what does that actually look like in our daily lives? And why does it matter?
Understanding the Phrase "Hands and Feet of Jesus"
The phrase comes from the idea that, while Jesus is no longer physically walking this earth, His followers carry His mission forward.
As the Body of Christ, we are called to continue His work, healing the broken, feeding the hungry, serving the poor, and sharing the good news.
In other words, God's people become His feet on earth, going where He would go, and His hands, doing what He would do.
A Biblical Foundation
The Bible paints a vivid picture of this mission. In Romans 10:15, Paul writes...
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Here, the feet of Jesus symbolize movement, outreach, and the spreading of hope.
Similarly, James 2:17 reminds us that faith without works is dead.
"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
To be the hands and feet of Jesus is to let our faith lead us to act, to have compassion on this world and respond to the cries of the oppressed, lonely, and hurting.
Jesus didn’t remain distant from suffering.
He walked into leper colonies, touched the blind, wept with the grieving, and shared meals with the marginalized. He didn’t just teach love; He demonstrated it. His feet of Christ led Him into uncomfortable places. His hands healed, restored, and uplifted. And now, He asks us to do the same.
Living Out God's Love in Practical Ways
To be the hands and feet of Jesus isn’t about grand gestures. Often, it’s about small, consistent acts of kindness that reveal God's love to others. It could look like:
Visiting someone who is sick or lonely
Providing groceries to a single mom who lost her job
Offering tutoring to children who can’t afford extra help
Listening without judgment to someone walking through grief
These moments, though simple, carry the heart of Christ. They show that someone cares, that someone sees them. And in a world that often feels cold and divided, being a reflection of Jesus can change lives.
Global Expressions of Compassion
Around the world, the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus plays out in deeply diverse ways. In some communities, it means providing access to clean water or offering disaster relief. In others, it means training pastors, discipling new believers, or helping families start small businesses that lift them out of poverty.
What unites these efforts is the heart behind them: love in action. It's not about charity; it's about dignity. It's not about rescue; it's about relationships.
And it begins when we ask, "What would Jesus do here?" Then, we step forward to be His presence.
Mobilizing the Local Church
While international missions are powerful, the most effective and sustainable work often happens through the local church. Why? Because churches are rooted in their communities.
They understand the culture, the needs, and the people. They can respond in ways that are personal, relevant, and ongoing.
When local churches are equipped and mobilized, they become the heartbeat of their neighborhoods. They offer not just spiritual nourishment but real-world help, development programs, discipleship groups, relief efforts, and more. Through them, the Body of Christ becomes fully alive.
The Four Movements of Impact
To sustain this kind of impact, it helps to think in terms of four interconnected movements:
Relief – Immediate response to crisis and urgent need
Development – Long-term solutions that empower communities
Discipleship – Spiritual growth and the formation of Christ-centered leaders
Mobilization – Training and sending others to multiply the mission
These pillars work together to create lasting change, reflecting not just a moment of help, but a lifetime of transformation. It’s how we go beyond short-term aid and move toward true restoration.
Answering the Call in Our Everyday Lives
You don’t have to go overseas to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Your neighborhood, workplace, and even your own home offer daily opportunities to live out this calling. Start by praying:
"Lord, show me where You want me to go today. Show me who needs Your love."
Then watch for the nudge, a coworker who needs encouragement, a friend who needs prayer, a cause that stirs your heart. It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the next right thing, led by the Spirit and rooted in love.
Mosaic International: A Quiet Partner in the Movement
At Mosaic, our mission is simple: to encourage, equip, and mobilize churches in developing nations to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities. From Rwanda to South Asia, from the Philippines to Tanzania, we come alongside local leaders who are already doing the work.
We don’t believe in prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions. We believe in relationships. We believe that the local church is the hope of the world. And we believe that when people like you give, pray, and show up, you're part of something eternal.
Want to see real-time impact? Visit our Recent Stories page to read how your support brings the good news to life.
Together, we are God's people. Together, we are the hands and feet of Jesus.
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