The Body of Christ

Scripture:
I Corinthians 12:26- And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Observation:
1 Corinthians 12 addressed the use of spiritual gifts. Paul reminded the entire church that every gift was given by God for building up the church. He used an analogy of the human body to illustrate the indispensable nature of each gift. He addresses that every part of the body has a purpose much like every member of the church. Then in verse 26 he says that if one part of the body suffers then the whole body suffers. This is true with our bodies. If the head hurts, it affects your whole body and how you feel. If you hurt your foot it affects how the rest of the body operates. The word “suffer” is referring to disease or sickness. It only makes sense that the rest of the body would suffer because if one part is affected by the disease, then generally the disease spread to other parts of the body and affect it as a whole. There should be the same connection and sense of concern in the church. If someone is suffering then the church should feel it. If some one is struggling and burdened, the church should sympathize with them through their hardships. The same is true for someone who has been blessed. All members should rejoice and be excited for that person. This is not always the case and probably was not in the church of Corinth. Paul addresses throughout this chapter that there is not to be jealousy or envy over gifts. Evidently some of the members had decided that some gifts were more important to the work of the church than other gifts. Paul encourages them to rejoice with one another when someone is able to use their talent or gift in an extraordinary way for God.

Application:
As a child I grew up in an amazing church. I was blessed to experience what Paul talks about in verse 26. I remember the encouragement they gave me when I gave my life to Christ. I experienced their support when I went through hard times and struggles. But one time really sticks out in my mind where I felt them rejoice with me. When I was a senior in college, I participated in a mission trip to Brazil. I had to raise all of my money in order to participate. Like the rest of the college students, I did not have that kind of money sitting around. I was on staff as a part time student ministry intern and every penny I made was going towards starting seminary the following fall. The church I was on staff with had offered to help me, but before they could give me a dime my small country church I had grown up in had paid my entire way to Brazil. I was blown away by their eagerness to help me. It was their way of rejoicing with me. It is exciting when the body of Christ supports one another through hard times as well as through good times. Throughout the years as my family has moved, the hardest part of moving is always when we have to leave our church family. I have been blessed to have been a part of some amazing church bodies where the members understand the importance sympathizing and rejoicing with one another.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a member of the body of Christ who rejoices with others in good times and cares for others in hard times. Allow our body of believers to be united in such a way that they reflect a movement of You.

— Emily Suggs, children’s minister, Madison/Ridgeland campus