Week 33, Day 3

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Week 33, Day 3
August 17, 2022
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12
 
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:27–31)
 
Paul continues to address the division that is plaguing the local church in Corinth. The division over how the Lord’s Supper was practiced, followed the division over food sacrificed to idols. What came before that was the division caused by sexual immorality that affected the entire church body.
 
Now he addresses disunity over pride. The pride of one part of the church body feeling superior to another. He reminds them, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 
 
We are all a part of the body of Christ. We all have a role, and some of the roles are unexpectedly more important than we realize. A lot of folks would look at me, in my role as the preacher and say that I have a critical role. And that is true. I am very, very important. Look at me!!!! 
But have you been to the church on a Sunday where we didn’t have our communion prepared? Something happened and it didn’t get covered? We found out very quickly how that unnoticed person is so vitally important to what we do on a Sunday. Thank you communion preparers for the unnoticed work you do, quietly each week for everyone. That’s one “small” role. But there are hundred of things happening within a given week, if not thousands that care for the body of believers and unite us. All of which are incredibly important to the life and health of the body. Consider with me all of the prayers, all of the service, all of the notes and kindness offered to the body of believers. We really are all one, and every single person is a part of it. Every activity, every sharing of individual gifts and talents bring us together as one in Christ. Our gifts are not intended to separate us, rather, they are given us that we might care of the body of believers.
 
I get a lot of the attention and focus because of my more noticeable role. But Paul appropriately reminds us that I am one more part of the wider body of believers. I need you. You need me. We ALL need Christ. We are his, and we belong together through him.
 
So, we pursue the greater gift together. The most important thing. Some want the gift of healing, or prophecy, or other prominent gifts and roles within the body. I get that. But Paul teaches us that the best is the gift of love.
 
Let us love one another. That is what will unite the church. Seek the greater gift of love.
 
 
Jordan