If you have ever stubbed your toe, and I guess everyone has, it is surprising how much pain can be caused by such a minor injury. The body consists of many parts – did you know there are 206 bones in the adult body? More than half of these are in the hands and feet. A small problem with one of these bones can have a major impact on the whole body.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 1 Cor. 12: 12-15 [NIV]
We, the Church, are the Body of Christ. Are you perhaps a toe or a finger? Some people have a less visible role in church and not everyone is “up front” or in a leading position. However, all roles are important and necessary – and the whole church suffers if any one part is damaged or missing.
This week we are going to explore this passage from 1 Corinthians – do you know what part of the body you are? If not, perhaps you can explore how you might best fit into the body - there are plenty of opportunities to serve.
Lord, help us to build a full and functioning body to usher in your kingdom. Amen
Dave MacLellan
(originally published in 2005)
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