This is going to be a blog that will not sit well with some. It is somewhat controversial and yet, it needs to be out there. I am a Christian in every sense of the word and I believe that the Holy Spirit directs my writing. This is not written with a spirit of condemnation but merely with the intent of opening hearts and minds. The question I ask today is “What is our place in the body of Christ?”
Teresa of Avila wrote the following poem:
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet.
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Years ago, my mother told me a story regarding church. She was pretty ambivalent about going to church. According to her, my grandmother dragged her to tent revivals. As a result, she became quite rebellious in her teen years and married to get away from home. During her second marriage to my father who was Jewish, she decided to take my sister to church. In those days, the reform temple was quite far from our town and they were deciding how to raise us. During the service a man, obviously in dire straits, came in. As my mother told it, the pastor pointed his finger at the man and said, “Get that bum out of here!” It left her cold and not wanting to raise us as Christians. Needless to say, we made that 100 mile trip to that reform temple each and every week. Who could blame her? That is a horrific story!
Most tales of how the body of Christ fails our fellow man are not that dramatic. In fact, I hope they no longer exist. Yet, don’t we who attend church, have some private prejudices? Many attend church as though it’s a country club -- and yet, our doors should be open for all. This is not some elite club; this is a place where ALL should be welcome! We should be able to stand shoulder to shoulder, whether it’s with someone wearing their Sunday best or rags. Let’s face it, don’t all of us fall short everyday? Are any one of us able to cast the first stone?
So, as the Casting Crowns song, “If We are the Body” asks:
“But if we are the body, why aren’t His arms reaching? Why aren’t His hands healing? Why aren’t His words teaching? And if we are the body, why aren’t His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way.”
So what did our Lord do? After all, He is our example. When a woman committed adultery, He did not render judgement. Rather, He showed mercy and compassion and asked her to sin no more. When you know your friend is committing adultery, do you talk to him/her about it, or do you turn your head and pretend it isn’t happening?
When meeting with Peter after the resurrection, did He condemn him or rebuke him for denying Him three times? No, he merely asked Peter if he loved Him. Why did He do that? He did it so that Peter would understand that he would be used as an instrument of the Holy Spirit. Jesus forewarned Peter that he would face the ultimate -- death. And yet, he still became a part of the body of Christ. How far are you willing to go for your Lord?
Jesus met with the tax collectors -- certainly men with a reputation of less than stellar character of that time. By doing so, Jesus risked further condemnation. Are you willing to risk condemnation by talking with someone who has a bad reputation in order to bring them to Christ? Are you willing to do a prison Bible study? Talk to a stripper who has expressed interest in seeking other employment? Talk with your friend who you know takes drugs for other than medicinal purposes?
Jesus talked with the Pharisees -- men who did not particularly like him and in fact, confronted Him on many occasions. He met with Nicodemus who was a Pharisee. Jesus went to where Nicodemus was, rather than have him join Jesus where He was. We too should be willing to meet people anywhere. I am not talking physical places necessarily but certainly, meet them where they are in their spiritual journey in order to mentor them. We can answer their questions, assist them with finding a Bible study to join, and nurture them spiritually. If Jesus had not met with Nicodemus because of fear or prejudice, would Nicodemus ultimately have been a follower of Christ? Would we even know who he was?
Jesus met a Samaritan woman (who Jews did not associate with at that time) at a well, and asked her to draw water for Him. He spoke to her, which was unheard of at the time! Samaritans and Jews did not get along in those days. Samaritans were considered unclean; there was a hate and distrust between the two races. Yet, the Samaritan woman had such trust in Jesus that she shared her life with Him. That trust occurred because of the grace of God. As a result, there was a complete paradigm shift. So much, that we now refer to those that do something positive as a “Good Samaritan”. Wow! How far did our Lord go with that one? He changed peoples’ thoughts about this race of people from the negative to the positive! But that’s what Jesus does -- He brings light to even the darkest places. Are we going to allow Him to work in our lives so that we can be that beacon of light? Bring hope where there is none?
He travelled with a known prostitute, who had given up her lifestyle. That was certainly a bold move!
He healed lepers who were considered untouchable. People who were shunned and, kept in areas separate from others; treated little more than like animals in cages. Jesus not only went into those clandestine areas but he touched their gaping wounds!
Jesus certainly is not shy about what is required of us. He gives us a new commandment in John 13:34. He says, “...Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (NIV) So if we are the body, what are WE doing to love others? We are not Jesus, and certainly are not able to heal others -- or are we?
Are we able to pray with someone who is sad, lonely, or ill? Are we able to invite someone to church and look beyond their race, sexual orientation, or status in life? Can we offer food to someone who has none? What about care for a child whose parents are incarcerated or are going through a difficult time? Pray for the orphans and widows? Help someone who needs some small repair work done on their house or mow their grass? What about just holding someone’s hand who needs a friend? Or write your local lawmaker to end human trafficking?
We ARE the body of Christ. We don’t have to move mountains -- God will do that. We can, however, reach out with love and compassion. We can be the hands, feet and eyes of Christ. Look around you. There are a million ways to serve others. God put us on this earth to care for one another. Being part of the body of Christ means more than sitting in a church pew every Sunday and going to potlucks. It means reaching out to others. Caring, serving, being compassionate, teaching, sharing, giving of time; the list of possibilities is endless.
Let’s fast forward to a scenario today. A local church is having a potluck and a man comes in who is clearly in dire straits. The church body helps him by binding up his wounds -- both physical and spiritual. During the blessing, the man runs out with the donations. What should they have done? Chase him? Call the police? Curse him? Let’s think of it in terms of how one so eloquently put it; “All he had to do was ask.”
Brothers and sisters, let’s not be afraid to reach out. Let’s be the body that Christ has called us to be and love one another as He loved us. Extend your hands to those reaching out for help. Run, don’t walk on your feet to get to those in need. Lastly, see the world through Christ’s eyes; with love and compassion.
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