Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The text for today’s meditation is 1 Corinthians 12 12-14

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-- and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

The body. The body is an amazing intricate complicated system that works together. The body is made up of diverse parts with different functions. All these diverse parts work together for the common good of the body. Some bodies are healthier than others. Some take better care of themselves. The bodies that perform at peak performance can do this only because its parts are all performing at peak performance.

It is amazing to watch how the whole body reacts to things; take receiving a compliment, as an example. It makes you smile and that triggers your body to do several things. When you smile your immune system functions better. It may function better because a smile relaxes the body. Your smile also measurably lowers your blood pressure. Smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling also strengthens the facial muscles making you look younger. As you can see the whole body participates in the reaction to a compliment.

Now what about an injury? Is the injured part the only part of the body affected? Lately we here at Trinity have had our share of injuries; Joe Ann and her wrist, Sharon and her knee, and Duncan and his ankle. With each one of those injuries their bodies reacted the same way. The first response was to quickly seep blood cells into the nearby tissue and begin to clot which helps hold the bone in place and also prevents further blood loss. At the same time the blood vessels within the broken bone constrict, cutting off blood flow. At the same time, the surrounding tissue swells as the body works to remove any dead or damaged tissue. Small blood vessels are made nearby to make it easier for the body to clean up the area of the fracture.

When a part of the body is lost, it does not function as intended. If a limb is lost prosthesis can take its place but it will never be as good as the lost part. The body will still function but not as fast or not as good. The body functions best when it is complete with original equipment.

Paul equates the church as the body of Christ with Christ as the head. As I said last week we are one as the body of Christ. Each of us has our spiritual gifts and each of us contribute to the common good of the body. But let’s take a look at the body itself. Paul says; "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." Notice there is one body with many members and all members are one body. Remember last week I talked about how we became a member of the body. Paul reminds us in verse 13, "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." We became a member of the body through baptism. It is the one spirit that keeps us together. Being a part of the body of Christ means you have a special relationship with Christ, he is your head; He directs your movements and functions.

You may say that is a little more than I signed up for. I come to church because it is the right thing to do. You may say, I don’t even remember my baptism, how can that make me part of the body of Christ?

Through the one Spirit Christ entered your heart at your baptism and it is then that He claimed you and made you part of His body here on earth. We are here together to be Christ to the world. It’s quite a bit to take in but deep down you know you belong to Christ. You may say the body is just fine without me. I don’t need to commit myself to being part of an active body because it takes up too much time. I say to you the body needs you. You have a special gift. I don’t know what that gift is for each of you but the Spirit knows and He needs it to complete His body so it can do His work. It may be something small or large. Remember a body doesn’t work as well or as fast without each of its parts. We, the body have work to do here in this sinful world. We are to make disciples. We have a sense of urgency and need to perform at our peak performance. So, I say again we, the body, are not complete without you! We cannot do God’s will without you. Your gift plays a critical role in keeping this body functioning.

As a body we react when things happen to us. Just as our physical bodies react to a compliment so does the body of Christ. When a part of the body is honored or complimented it starts reactions just like our physical body. We release a spiritual energy that is good for the whole body. We don’t fight against the reaction or that part of the body. We wouldn’t hurt one part of own body for the sake of another part because it hurts the whole body. The same is true here in the body of Christ. We don’t hurt one part for the sake of another.

We also react when a part of our body is injured. Remember in the injury the blood rushed to the area in order to clot which supported the fracture keeping it from causing any more damage and beginning the healing process. We too rush to the aid of another part of the body no matter the kind of injury. It may be a spiritual injury where their faith is being tested. We can rush in with our prayers and support through the Word of God which keeps from causing any more damage and begin the healing process. It may be a physical injury like a broken bone or relapsing back into an addiction. Either way, we rush in with prayers, the word of God, providing for their physical needs, and just being present to comfort. This is how the body of Christ reacts to an injury to itself.

The body of Christ has work to do and we need to be performing at peak performance. You are a part of the body, we are incomplete without you no matter how small your gift. Remember a pinky toe is very small and unassuming but it plays a huge role in keeping your balance. We need balance in order to make disciples. We need everyone in order to share the love of Christ with Scottsboro and the surrounding area, the love that sent Jesus Christ to the cross to die, be buried, and rise in order to take away your sins and the sins of the people of Scottsboro and the area.

As a part of the body of Christ the body is with you wherever you go. You are not alone when you are at home on Sunday afternoon and at work during the week. No, you have the body with you and Christ the head is ordering your ways. He is using you His body part in your everyday life for His purposes. He is using your special Spiritual Gift to make disciples.

Nourish the body by coming to church every week where you hear His word spoken and preached. The body needs nourishment just as you feed yourself several times a day. Remember, you are not just doing this for yourself. Continue to nourish the whole body by reading His word daily. We all receive the benefit as a part of the body. We are one in the same Spirit and we are incomplete and unable to make disciples without you.

Amen

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