We Are The Body

This post is a patchwork of sharings from my dearest siblings-in-Christ of 1 Corinthians Chapter 12. I’m moved to share them with you all here because we are the body of Christ and today, being Valentine’s Day, it is fitting to reflect on the nature of Christ’s love – AGAPE.

1 Corinthians Chapter 12 is a very familiar passage. I think some of us even know it by heart. Yes, the parts make up the body and each part has its own function in the body of Christ.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

If We Are The Body
by Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus is the way

The song hit me hard the first time I heard it, especially the bridge. Jesus paid the price not just for those who are already part of this body. Sometimes we are so comfortable in our space we forget that we all are the same in God’s eyes, fallen and helpless. We forget and we pick and choose who we want to love, who we want to accept, who we want to be in this family. We forget that this body has to grow. Growth is a sure sign of life. (Non-living things don’t grow, they slowly disintegrate.)

Sometimes, it is not through active alienation that we shut out other people. More often than not, it is a lack of action. I thought about how some adults said how certain youth groups in our church were ‘exclusive’ and suggested that perhaps that was why others find it hard to join in.

When we reach the end of 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, Paul takes a surprising turn before going on in Chapter 13.

31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

And the most excellent way is…(*drum roll*)…LOVE!

I was just pondering over this when my eyes swept across my study table and my gaze landed on an issue of Campus Crusade’s publication Ignite. On the back cover was an excerpt of an article on another very familiar passage in John 21:

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him,
"Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"
He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

It’s very interesting how Jesus translated this feeling of affection (love) into something that required action (feeding and taking care of His sheep).

I pray that God help us to grow His body so that many more will be drawn towards Christ and His name be glorified.