May 25th | Jesus Holds the Body Together

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

JESUS HOLDS THE BODY TOGETHER

Ephesians 4:16 “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”   

In a science class you learned that your skeleton is made up of 206 separate bones. These bones are joined and held together by ligaments and moved by muscles which are controlled by the brain through a system of nerves. When this system is working properly you are able to do unbelievable things. The parts, working together do the work you need to do. 

St. Paul, in today’s devotional verse compares the Church with the skeletal system. As none of the 206 bones in your body are able to individually do everything your body needs to do, so the many who form the church cannot individually do everything God wants the Church to do.   

To some within the church God has given a special voice that can sing. Those with that gift form the choir. Others within the church have the gift of leadership which God uses to organize the congregation so it can function in a healthy way. From the body God appoints pastor’s organists, office staff, etc. Individually, none of these can do everything necessary for the congregation to be the strong body of Christ. When each person uses their special God given gift the church functions properly. 

As your heart must pump regularly to circulate your blood which carries needed oxygen and nutrients throughout your body to keep your body healthy and strong, so your gift, whatever it is that God has given you is needed in the congregation. There is no such thing as “I have done my part, now it is time for someone else to do theirs.” Think if your heart functioned in this manner. No, your God given gifts and abilities, along with those of all the other members of the congregation, using them together enable the congregation to conduct worship services, minister to the needs of the members, reach out into the community with the love of God in Christ Jesus, etc.   

Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide me to recognize the special gifts God has given me and how He wants me to use them for the good of the congregation and the spread of the gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s head, You are her one foundation;  In You she trusts, before You bows, And waits for Your salvation.  Built on this rock secure, Your Church shall endure  Though al the world decay And all things pass away.  O hear, O hear us, Jesus! 

O Lord, let this Your little flock, Your name alone confessing,  
Continue in Your loving care, True unity possessing.  
Your sacraments, O Lord, And Your saving Word  
To us, Lord, pure retain, Grant that they may remain  
Our only strength and comfort. 

Help us to serve You evermore With hearts both pure and lowly;  
And may Your Word, that light divine, Shine on in splendor holy  
That we repentance show, In faith ever grow;  
The pow’r of sin destroy And evils that annoy.  
O make us faithful Christians. 

And for Your Gospel let us dare To sacrifice all treasure;  
Teach us to bear Your blessed cross, To find in You all pleasure.  
O grant us steadfastness In joy and distress, 
 Lest we, Lord, you forsake Let us by grace partake
Of endless joy and gladness.  (LSB 647)