A long time ago, there was a painter. He painted a large portrait of Christ. Of course, no one really knows what Jesus looked like. That is by design, because if we had his image, no doubt some would worship the image and not the Christ. But this one was different. Granted, it probably bore no resemblance to the man, but it was the perfect representation and picture of the Christ.
So, what do you mean, you might ask? How was this portrait different? Well, if you got up really close to it, and you might need a magnifying glass, you would see that the painting was created out of tiny individual letters. Yes, it was actually the written Word of God with inflections and various sizes and shades so that when you stood back, behold! There was the image of Christ! In today’s jargon, we would say the letters were the pixels used to create the image.
How apropos. For the entire Bible is a portrait of God. It’s not just a bunch of words on a page. It’s not just a bunch of history as some would say. It is the Word, the expression of God! Just like Christ, the Word of God made flesh, was the perfect expression and representation of the Father.
The Bible is full of images, metaphors, and allegories to communicate heavenly things in earthly terms. I want to present another portrait of Christ using Paul’s metaphor of the body of Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says, 12 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.
Paul is saying that WE ARE the body of Christ, comprised of many members, both metaphorically and in actuality. We know that our own bodies are the temple of God (1 Cor3:16) and that Christ lives in us (Gal 2:20). We therefore manifest Christ both individually and corporately. He in us, as us.
You might think these words are a bit risky, putting ourselves on an equal basis with Christ. Am I saying we are God? Of course not. Just like a drop of water is not the ocean, the ocean manifests itself in the form of many drops. We are simply vessels that contain Christ. We are the vehicle through which He manifests Himself on earth. Remember that God is Spirit and has no form. He must manifest himself through his creation. In case it hasn’t dawned on you yet, we’re it! Jesus said if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Likewise, when you have seen us, you have seen Christ.
Now, let’s go back to the painting. Substitute the letters with the myriad of Christians that make up the body of Christ. They are of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Now stand back. What do you see? Christ!
There is still one more lesson to learn from this metaphor. We are not all the same! Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 12 saying, 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.”
This is important because too often we conform to the corporate voice rather than God’s as to what our gifts and calling are. For example, some churches may think that everyone should be an evangelist. True, we all are by default to one degree or another, but some are specifically called to this mission and some are not. If all were evangelists, we would be left with a few million babies out there with stunted growth. That might be like running on two left legs or just one leg. If all were teachers, there might not be many to teach.
No, we all have our own calling. They are all different. Some are teachers, some are prophets, some are leaders, and some just have the gift of love or faith, my favorites. Some are prominent and some are obscure, but all necessary. If others try to engage you in their personal cause, approach it prayerfully. It may also be your calling or it may not.
Lord, thank you that you have made us all different according to your will. Grant us the wisdom to know and conform to your calling. Amen.
The Lost Coin by Samuel Hayes Sherwood is now available on Amazon. See how the mystery of Christ is unraveled.
