Jump Start # 196

1 Corinthians 12:15 “If the foot says, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any less a part of the body.”

  Our passage for today is taken from a section of Corinthians in which Paul is describing “body parts.” The context has to do with spiritual gifts. Through the Holy Spirit some of the early Christians were able to prophesy, others could speak in tongues, some had a special knowledge. This was essential for survival of these young churches. The New Testament was in the process of being written. They needed to know the message of Jesus Christ. We can easily turn to Galatians, James, or Hebrews to study. They couldn’t. Those books were in the process of being written and were not widely available at that time. The messages were crucial. God allowed certain Christians to have knowledge to teach, others had prophecy to teach and others had the gift of tongues to help spread the word. The Corinthian church made a bigger deal out of the people having the gifts than they did the message these gifts delivered. They especially loved the gift of tongues. To the Corinthians that was the greatest.

  Paul’s message in this chapter tries to show that every part is necessary. He lists the foot, the ear, the eye, the nose and the hand. Essential parts, every one of them. They represent our senses. To lose any one of these in our society today, a person would be considered handicapped. Paul does name things like ear lobes, toe nails or hair. I’m sure those are all important but nothing like ears, eyes, nose and feet.

  Each part has it’s own function. Feet do not do what hands do. Ears do not do what nose does. Does that mean then, that one is more important than the other? Our face gets more attention than our feet do. Often our feet are covered up with socks and shoes. We shave our faces, put on make up, comb our hair, brush our teeth and put a lot of attention to our face. Is our face more important than our feet? Try walking without feet?

  Paul’s point is that our bodies have different parts that do different things and they receive different amount of attention, but all of parts are important. Every one of them. The lesson he is making is about the church. The church has different members and they receive different amounts of attention, but all of the members are important. Let me explain. The preacher is very visible. Everyone knows the preacher’s name. Often on a sign board the name of the preacher is listed. His name appears on the official stationary and on the bulletin. There is a lot of attention, often too much, placed upon the preacher. The elders are just as visible. But I think about some of the wonderful members where I preach. They don’t seem visible. Their names will only be found in a directory or picture board. They are steady, reliable and dependable. It is their support that helps pay the preacher. Without them there wouldn’t be an audience to teach classes or to have an assembly to worship. They are the back bone of the church. They come. They invite. They can be counted upon. Now, who is more important? The preacher who preaches? Or the audience who is preached to? Both need each other. Both depend upon each other. Both do different things. Both are essential. When we forget this, trouble, zealously and problems are soon to follow.

  We see the same concept in sports. Who is the most important player in a football game? The quarterback? Or the receiver who catches the ball? Or, the linemen who blocks? Or, the coach who calls the play? Or, field goal kicker? Or, the fans in the stand whose attendance supports the team? Most important? Can’t say. Some get more attention. Each has a different function, but all are important. It’s that true of a company? Without the CEO the company couldn’t make it. But without workers in the factory the CEO wouldn’t have a job. Different functions, different roles. All important.

  I think we would all be much better off just forgetting this, “whose the most important” stuff. It only leads to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. It also helps us to realize just how valuable everyone is.

  In God’s kingdom, you have a role. You are needed and you are important. You may see yourself only as a foot, but without those feet, the church can’t move. You may be hands, so serve well. You may be a voice, praise and teach all. You may be eyes, look for opportunity. This also tells us that no one of us can do it all. Paul had Timothy, Silas, Barnabas, and Apollos. He couldn’t be Paul without them. Eyes can’t listen. Ears can’t see. To be the church that God wants us to be, every part, every member must be functioning.

  See how God sees you! Without you, we just couldn’t be what we are.

 Roger