23 Bible Verses About Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus (With Commentary)

Sharing the love of God with a hurting world can seem like an overwhelming task, but one of the many facets of being a Christian is to act as the hands and feet of Jesus.

This blog post is made to encourage, inspire, and remind us of the power of walking in the shoes of the Savior by presenting important Bible verses about being the hands and feet of Jesus.

By studying, reflecting, and living these words, we can feel empowered to be Christlike to those around us.

Bible Verses About Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus

1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

This verse compels believers to understand themselves as integral parts of Christ’s body. As such, each person has a role in fulfilling Christ’s mission on earth. By showing love, compassion, and service to others, we embody His hands and feet, actively doing His work in our everyday lives.

Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

This passage paints a vivid image of a messenger delivering the joyful message of God’s reign. This is a symbolic call to Christians to be Christ’s feet, to carry and spread His Gospel’s peace and joy. It reminds us that spreading the Good News is a beautiful and worthy endeavor, and one we should undertake.

Romans 10:15 (NIV)

“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Similar to Isaiah 52:7, this verse celebrates those who preach the gospel. It reinforces our mission as Christians to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, carrying and spreading His word. As His followers, we are all ‘sent’, given the duty and the privilege to serve as His emissaries in the world.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Paul’s encouragement here serves as a reminder that our efforts in serving as the hands and feet of Jesus are never in vain. Despite challenges or seeming lack of progress, we’re urged to remain steadfast and continually strive to do the Lord’s work, as these labors bear spiritual fruit.

Luke 24:39 (NIV)

“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.”

In this verse, the resurrected Jesus presents His physical form to His disciples, emphasizing the reality of His resurrection. His words invite us, too, to recognize and embrace the tangibility of faith. As His followers, we’re called to embody Christ’s teachings in a concrete, visible way in the world.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

This verse reminds us that we were crafted by God’s hand and are called to do good works in Christ’s name. These good works, prepared for us even before our existence, define our path as Christians. As Christ’s hands and feet, we participate in these good works, walking the path laid out for us.

Luke 24:40 (NIV)

“And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.”

Following from Luke 24:39, Jesus provides physical proof of His resurrection. His visible wounds embody the sacrifices He made for humanity. This passage prompts us to demonstrate our faith visibly and courageously, despite the sacrifices it may require, to truly be His hands and feet.

Mark 10:45 (NIV)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate servant in this verse. His life and sacrificial death are the epitome of service, an example for us to follow. By becoming the hands and feet of Jesus, we are to serve others selflessly, mirroring Jesus’ own actions and echoing His love and compassion.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus’ command here is a clear call to action for all His followers. We are commissioned to spread His teachings and expand His kingdom. As His hands and feet, we are to go out into the world, share His message, and bring others into the fold of His love, all the while being reassured of His enduring presence.

John 13:14-15 (NIV)

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

Jesus, by washing His disciples’ feet, demonstrated the essence of servitude. This act underscores the idea of being Jesus’ hands and feet—serving others with humility and love. It offers a tangible model of the behavior He expects from us, as we strive to replicate His kindness and humility in our own lives.

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

This verse presents a dichotomy between worldly and spiritual freedom. As Christians, our spiritual freedom should not lead us towards selfish desires but should propel us towards loving service. By serving others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus, utilizing our freedom for a higher purpose.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

This verse links our earthly work to our spiritual service. It motivates us to do our best in all tasks, not to please people but the Lord. Through this, we represent Jesus’ hands and feet in every aspect of our lives, turning our work into worship and service.

James 1:22 (NIV)

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

James challenges us to put our faith into action. To be the hands and feet of Jesus requires more than just hearing or understanding His word; we must act upon it. Only through active service can we fulfill our roles as parts of Christ’s body.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Here, Jesus urges us to let our actions serve as a beacon of His light in the world. By doing good works, we reflect Christ’s love, and through this, others may come to know and glorify God. This is the true mission of being Jesus’ hands and feet—to illuminate the path to God through our actions.

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Peter underscores the idea of stewardship in this verse. We’re all endowed with different gifts, and we’re entrusted to use these gifts to serve others, manifesting God’s grace. This is a beautiful portrayal of being the hands and feet of Jesus, as we channel God’s love and grace through our individual talents and gifts.

John 15:12 (NIV)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Love, in its purest form, is the cornerstone of Christ’s teachings. It’s this love that we’re called to exhibit as the hands and feet of Jesus. In loving others, we extend the divine love we’ve received from Christ, furthering His kingdom of love on earth.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

This verse encapsulates the spirit of Christ-like service. It challenges us to relinquish selfish motives and consider the needs of others. By prioritizing others and serving them selflessly, we truly become the hands and feet of Jesus, embodying His humility and love.

Acts 20:35 (NIV)

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Paul’s words here reflect Jesus’ teaching on the blessedness of giving. By actively helping the weak and offering to others, we act as Jesus’ hands and feet, taking part in His mission of love. It’s in giving, not receiving, where we find the true blessing.

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Being the hands and feet of Jesus implies a sacrificial devotion. As living sacrifices, we offer our actions, thoughts, and lives to the service of God and others. This active, daily commitment signifies a profound form of spiritual worship, where our lives become a testament to Christ’s love.

Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

In this verse, the author of Hebrews links doing good and sharing with others to pleasing God. This is a fundamental aspect of being the hands and feet of Jesus—sharing our resources, our time, and ourselves, ultimately doing good in His name. It’s these acts of love and kindness that please God and reflect His love to the world.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

This powerful verse encapsulates the Christian journey. As believers, we no longer live for ourselves but for Christ who lives within us. Serving as His hands and feet means to embody Christ’s selfless love and sacrifice in our lives, reflecting His divine character and mission through our actions and attitudes.