Archived Word from the Word

The bible teaches us in the book of Corinthians the 12th chapter that we are all important to the body of Christ. Specifically, the book of Corinthians 12:4 - 11, states that "there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. It states that while there are differences of administrations, it is of the same Lord. And while there are diversities of operations, it is of the same God which worketh all in all. For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with all. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of the spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."

Indeed, this teaching tells us as believers that none are small or less important in the eyes of God. We are all special in God's divine purpose, and unless we all work to our greatest capacity in that area, then we will eventually do our Lord and Savior (Christ Jesus) and the body of Christ a disservice. We must all pull our assigned weights in the body of Christ to get the work of God accomplished. If one decides to do his or her own thing, or move into someone else's assigned position, a hole will be produced in that person's place (or position). That hole will (without doubt) either weaken or destroy that work or effort offered by all. Thus, the bible's teaching on this subject helps us to understand and appreciate both the importance and impact of us doing that which God has assigned us with all diligence and stewardship.

The teaching can be likened to a harmonious singing part. For example, when singing any three-part harmonic piece there will always be three (completely different) notes required. Any less than three different notes being sung will not result in a three part harmonious sound. More importantly, if those three notes are not sung on the pitches defined for that particular chord, then the harmony will fail. Dissonance will result and that particular part of the song will sound awful. The reason for this is that each chord has a specific structure. That structure, for three part harmonies, depends on a bottom note (sometimes called the root or the 1st), a middle note (sometimes called the 3rd), and a top note (sometimes called the 5th). If one goes from the 1st to the 3rd while singing in a chorus, then what used to be a three part harmony will be diminished to a two part harmony. If a single (or multiple persons) decides to sing something different from any one of these notes listed above (1st, 3rd, or 5th) dissonance occurs, and the results will usually be bad or awful sound. The removal or absence of any one of these parts destroys the overall effort of achieving a 3 part harmonic sound. All the parts and notes are important and necessary in accomplishing the beautiful and angelic sounds of vocal or instrumental harmony.

Indeed, this is what the bible shows us as it expounds on the importance of each member in the body of Christ doing his or her share/portion to ensure excellent works throughout. Again, the book of Corinthians 12:14 - 26 echoes' this teaching as it states the following: "For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where is the hearing? If the whole body were hearing, where would the smelling be? But now hath God set the members, every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one (or the same) member, where would the body be? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked. That there should be be no schism in the body; but that all the members should have the same care one for another. And if one member suffer, then all the members suffer with it. But if one member be honored, then let all the members rejoice with it." Why? Because we are all important in God's eyes and as such have very important parts to play in accomplishing God's plan and service. To accomplish this though, we must be able to do it without strife, envy, greed, or vanity. Indeed, this should be a simple thing for us as Christians.

After all, each person is important in God's eyes and each person's part is necessary in fulfilling God's plan. Why should anyone be jealous or envious of another person's part or position? As the bible has already pointed out, God needs each of you to do his own job, part, or work so that the entire effort of the body can be successful. When we do this, the bible teaches us that that's when we we begin to take on the likeness and character of our beloved Savior, Christ Jesus, who came into the world as a humble servant unto God to do his part by dying that we all could have everlasting life (Phillipians 2:3). I encourage each and every one of you to be as Christ like as possible. Do his or her own part in the body as diligently and earnestly as possible. Make sure your part of the body's job is done and done overwhelmingly well. Do this so that when God looks down on the works of the body that you are a part of He will be able to say to you all, "Well done my good and faithful servant".

She was a mother who had suffered unbearable tribulation because of the affliction of her daughter, who was "agrievously vexed with a devil" (Matt.15:22). Matthew calls her a woman of Canaan," meaning of course the ancient land of Canaan, signifying she was of Semitic stock but was not Jewish. Mark accurately calls her a Syro-Phoenician after her country of Phoenicia, which belonged to Syria.

By culture and language this woman was Greek, by religion a Pagan, by position in her community, a nobody. Yet with Christ these differences meant nothing. Wearied in every nerve and fiber of her being by the constant care her daughter needed, she made an persistent demand upon Him on His arrival in Syro-Phoenician from Galilee. She had watched her child's spasm so long and was so grieved by them that she could scarcely hold back her tears as she came toward Him.

She walked toward Him with courage and faith. Faith that was based on wondrous stories she had heard of how He healed the deaf, the dumb, and the blind, and cast out evil spirits of all kinds. These stories had been brought to her ears by her own people from Tyre and Sidon. No doubt she heard, too, His story of the widow of Zarephath, who had fed the prophet Elijah, of another race and country, out of her store. Though this Syro-Phoenician woman knew that she was not of Jesus' own people, but still she had the courage to believe that the family of God included Jews and Gentiles alike.

And so this woman came before Him crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil" (Matt. 15:22). This mother was not complaining about her own burden but was grieving the spiritual and physical distress of her daughter.

Nowhere in the Gospel do we find Jesus turning away from need as he did from this woman's. He didn't answer her at first, His disciples, disturbed that she should interrupt Him, said, "Send her away" (Matt. 15: 23) Finally, Jesus said to her, " I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24).

Many attempts have been made to explain Jesus' seeming aloofness toward this woman. Did He desire to test the feelings of His disciples, who might be unprepared for Him to bestow His blessings upon this woman of another race? Or did he also desire to test further the woman's faith? Or did He wish to teach that we must persevere, even when it might seem that His ear is turned away?

The Syro-Phoenician woman did persevere. She came and knelt before Him saying, "Lord, help me" (Matt. 15:25). The very abruptness of her plea expresses all the more urgency. Then Jesus said, "It is not right to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs" (Matt. 15:26). The reference to dogs sounds offensive but was not meant to be, but is speaking of a type of people.

So with wit she answers Jesus, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table" (Matt. 15:27). Letting Jesus know that she was aware of the infinite plenty being lavished upon the people of Israel, and that all she asked for was a crumb that might fall to the floor. She also suggests that a child is a child, and when afflicted, and helpless; race shouldn't matter.

Her persistent faith had brought its reward. Jesus, always loving and merciful, turned to her saying, "O woman, great is thy faith! Your request is granted."(Matt. 15:28). And from that hour her daughter was made whole again.

The healing of this woman's demonic daughter was a demonstration of the Power of God. It demonstrated how the presence of Jesus could be felt anywhere, and He did not go in person to heal the girl, but healed her without ever seeing her.

The woman had learned that prayer is simply asking and receiving. "Your father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him" (Matt.6:8). She who had been content to ask only for a crumb had received from Christ the key to God's vast storehouse. Without any doubt she went forth and spread the Good News of the Power of Jesus Christ among the Christian community at Tyre.

Thirty years later when Paul visited there for a week, his companion wrote: "And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children till we were out of the city: and we knelt down on the shore, and prayed" (Acts. 21:5).