I totally understand that our bodies have many different parts and almost all of them are essential to us living our lives like we are accustomed to. If my eyes or my ears were not a part of my body, things would be drastically different for me. Certainly life does not end, but it is not the same either. The writer of 1 Corinthians points us to the way our bodies work as an example for something spiritual.
Here’s where the transition gets difficult, however. It says in this verse, “so it is with Christ.” What does that mean? I assume it’s not talking about Christ’ physical body – that would be pointless. So what’s the connection between a body with many different parts making up one whole unit and Jesus?
It’s often the relation between what we see here in this world to the spiritual realm that can produce some amazing insights, or…..leave us scratching our heads. Without a little further explanation, this might be one of those head-scratchers. Even with more explanation, it can be hard to imagine how God means for us to understand this and what we should do in response to it.
There is, however, a bit more for us a few verses later. It says this: “now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Put these two verses together (and the verses in between break it down a bit more) and we begin to get a feel for what God has in mind for the people who follow him. One Body – Christ’s. Many parts – us (believers in Jesus).
Consider how that could be. Think of the body. Then think of the diversity of people who follow Jesus. Could the diversity be to the body’s advantage?? I think maybe so……if the head is in the right place!