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The Christ Head and Body All the members of the body, though they are many, are
one body, James Parkinson Those called of God to be faithful followers of Christ have many talents, but each lacks some talents possessed by others. To make the point that each should employ the talents he has, Paul compared the faithful ones collectively to a human body composed of many members. 2 While Paul describes how the anointed class (The Christ) is composed of Jesus and his faithful church, there were already hints of the multiplicity of The Christ in the books of Moses. Each burnt-offering was cut into pieces, some were washed, and then the whole body was put with the head and consumed by fire; this was considered as a sweet savor unto the Lord. The burnt-offering distinction between the head and the members of the body is shown in the consecration of the priesthood, and also in the subsequent atonement for all the people on the eighth day immediately following the seven-day consecration of that priesthood (see Leviticus 1:3-13; 8:20,21; 9:12-14). Jesus Christ is depicted as the head, and his faithful church as members of his body. One may have an annoying itch, ache, or pain. But these become insignificant if one trips on a brick, or hits a finger with a hammer: the whole body suddenly focuses on the hurt member and how to relieve it. Minor problems are forgotten when a more sorely wounded member needs help. So it should be with the members of the body of Christ. Let each be mindful more of others than of self. Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). After he washed his disciples’ feet, he said, “You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave [Greek: bondservant] is not greater than his master, neither is one who is sent [Greek: apostle] greater than the one who sent him. If ye know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:13-17). But is it possible a man in difficult straits may expect too much help from others? Paul writes, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ,” yet a few verses later we read, “Each one shall bear his own load” (Galatians 6:2,5). Clearly Paul is saying that when we are in difficulty, we should not demand that others do this or that for us (though if they offer help, we may accept it). But should we find others in difficulty, then we should offer whatever assistance we can, and as appropriate in the situation. But what is appropriate? Jesus gave the parable of the good Samaritan: A man was left half dead by wayside robbers. As they were journeying to a Levitical city, a priest and a Levite both avoided him, perhaps thereby seeking to avoid becoming ceremonially unclean. But a certain Samaritan, a person usually despised in Judea, treated the man’s wounds, then walked so the injured man could ride on his donkey to the inn. Finally he paid the man’s room and board! Jesus concludes, “Go, and do the same” (Luke 10:25-37). Not a Bone of His Body was Broken Concerning the Christ, David prophesied of Messiah: “I can count3 all my bones” (Psalm 22:17). When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers broke the legs of the thieves to hasten their death before the high Sabbath. “But coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break his legs. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture4 ‘Not a bone of him shall be broken [or: crushed]’ ” (John 19:33, 36). While keeping all his bones unbroken would not seem a life-and-death matter of itself, there is a subtler significance. The perfect man Jesus gave himself a ransom for all, in sacrifice unto death; yet the experience of death did not break him. So also the members of his body are daily to lay down their lives for others (though adding no atoning merit to Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice), yet not one shall be broken, or lost. As with Jesus, they are not to be broken by life’s experiences, which are arranged for them by the Lord, lest thereby they put themselves outside the body of Christ. Those who learn to love even their enemies will be resurrected to join with their Lord to bring blessings to all the families of the earth.4 Not a single member will have been broken. What Do We Need? Every living body needs a head. The head does the seeing, and decides the actions the body must take. If the body does not follow the will of the head because of a lack of training, disability, or disease, that failure will result in the hurt of the body. A healthy body must want to do the will of its head. Jesus Christ is the head of the body of Christ. Christians both individually and collectively must want to do the will of their head. If they do their own wills, they are not looking to the headship of Jesus Christ, and are thereby putting themselves outside the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 9:27; 11:3; Ephesians 1:22-23). Even an animal needs a head. Although a chicken with its head cut off may run around a barnyard, it soon becomes clear that the chicken is dead. Likewise the one who severs himself from Christ is dead, even though superficially he may appear alive. Every Christian needs the living, wise, and powerful head: Jesus Christ. If a blind man enters an unfamiliar house at night, he will use a cane to tap the floor, furniture, and walls ahead of him. And he does well to consider the advice of a trustworthy, sighted friend. But if the lights suddenly go out and plunge the house into total darkness, the situation is reversed: the sighted person does well to consider the advice of the blind man. So Christians should look first to Jesus Christ through the testimony of the Scriptures; but where the Bible is silent, Christians should consider the advice of their trustworthy Christian brethren. Our primary need for Jesus Christ is illustrated by a vine: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:1,4,5). Our secondary need is for our brethren: “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12). What Can We Give? Some of the talents found in the body of the Christ are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10:
Some may be able to impart knowledge of the Word of God, while others may be better able to teach wisdom or how to apply that knowledge. Some may be particularly strong in faith, to teach even against the strong opposition of darkness, while others may be physicians for bodily health, or mothers able to comfort hurt children. Some may be best at organizing spiritual activities or eloquent to explain prophecy for today, while others may be able to sense the spirit of one who is unconvinced. Some like Paul may be able to express the Word of God in different languages, while others who may not necessarily know what to teach may be able to interpret the message into languages a teacher does not speak. Each should objectively try to determine which talents he can contribute and of which there is need. Let us ask the Lord to help us see where talents are most needed, then try to match our talents to those needs. As body members use their talents to fulfill real needs, they may find some of their talents go unused for whatever reason. Let each offer to the Lord according to where the need is great, and where there is a talent that can be used: “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in sheol [the grave] where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Other Lessons of Christ and the Church Eve was taken as a rib from Adam’s side, as a type of the church being fashioned from Jesus Christ. She was not taken from his head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be trampled upon, but from his side, closest to his heart (Genesis 2:21-23). Jesus Christ and his church are portrayed as a groom and bride, showing not only his love for the church but suggesting their future as parents or life-givers of the children of the resurrection (Revelation 19:6-9; 21:9-14). A general and the army following his orders picture the courage and complete obedience each member of the church must have as they serve their Lord (Revelation 19:11-14; see also Gideon and his army as a type in Judges 7:1-22). Just as Moses and Aaron were sons of the same father, so Christ and his church are together sons of God. By obedience we learn of the Father (Exodus 4:10-16). “I am the vine, you are the branches,” emphasizes that we cannot survive on our own, but we must remain in Christ for life: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As sheep are not defenseless against a wolf if they listen to the voice of the shepherd, so the church at the present time is protected by their Lord if they listen to his word (John 10:11-16) 5 A related prophecy of saviors (note the plural) with the Lamb shows the hope of Jesus Christ and his faithful church to regenerate and bless all the families of the earth (Obadiah 21; Revelation 14:1). These lessons show the need to first learn the will of God, then to do it. Those who learn these lessons will join Jesus Christ in providing the ultimate blessing of all families of the earth. A Primary Application Jesus Christ died for us and for all. Let each of us individually, and all of us collectively, follow Jesus’ direction and example. He is our head. If the called, chosen [elect], and faithful [the body of Christ] are to be with Jesus in the thousand-year kingdom to bless all the families of the earth, they should have a strong desire to bless now: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).
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Scripture citations are from the New American Standard Bible. |