This past Sabbath we talked about the value of belonging as seen in the New Testament's teaching on the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 says, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” The church is called the “body of Christ” for the poignant point that we all belong. There are many individuals, yet we are one. Every part is important!
Last year I dropped a heavy, wooden food tray on my big toe. It was summer and we were headed to Big Lake and we stopped off at a restaurant to eat. I was wearing flip-flop sandals. As I sat the tray on the table and took our family’s food off the tray, it slid off the table and like a would-be guillotine hit my toe with astounding torque! My whole body radiated pain in that moment while leg pain continued throughout the day. The effects of the injury lasted for months until finally a new toenail grew and replaced the purple one that I thought might just become permanent!
Why am I talking about my big toe? That’s weird. Well, maybe some of us feel more like a purple, big toe than a pumped-up bicep in the body of Christ. I know I often have! Though we sometimes feel weird and awkward in comparison with some of the more attractive parts of the body of Christ, God wants us to know we are all vitally important. As a matter of fact, listen to these three different statements found in 1 Corinthians 12:20-26: 1. Those members that seem to be weaker are necessary. 2. Those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor. 3. God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it.
The passage concludes by saying, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” My whole body suffered for a long time when I hurt my big toe. I’m happy to report it feels great and looks as good as it can now! I’m happy to also report I won’t be talking further about my big toe. I’m ecstatic to be a part of a wonderful church family that values belonging, believing that every single person is vitally important. Let’s lift up those who feel like the least, so they can realize our mighty Savior thinks they’re the best! Though we all suffer some now, soon we will all be rejoicing together, experiencing belonging like never before in God’s glorious eternal kingdom!
- Pastor Michael Brackett