Today’s Readings: 1 Samuel 29-30, 1 Corinthians 10, Ezekiel 8, Psalm 46-47
When I read through today’s scripture passages 1 Corinthians 10 really resonated with me. As soon as I read this passage:
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of one bread.” (1 Corinthians 16-17)
I always get really excited when I’m reading my Bible and I start to hear a song. As children we learn about Jesus first through those classic beloved Bible songs. Growing up in the church and singing on Sundays, those songs multiply and become sort of a personal passageway to Christ. When I read this scripture yesterday, I heard a really old tune I learned for a non-denominational prayer service in 1993 called “We are One Body.” The chorus goes like this:
We are one body, one body in Christ
And we do not stand alone
We are one body, one body in Christ
And he came that we might have life
These simple words came alive for me today when I read them on the printed page of my Bible. Paul is really calling our attention to the importance of corporate worship in 1 Corinthians 10. Yes, chapter 10 is really about idolatry and is more or less a cautionary tale for the Corinthian believer who thought himself strong enough to participate in pagan rituals without compromising his relationship with God. Paul is calling us to recognize our impending accountability on the last judgment day. As Christians we represent one unified body that is dependent upon the death of Christ.
“Because we are one bread, we who are many are one body.”
(1 Corinthians 10:17 HSCB)
As individual members we make up one corporate body. Together we are united through Christ’s death but individually we all have union with Christ. In other words we all belong. There are no exclusions. Although the message of idolatry or “other Gods” is so very important, today I’m really moved to share the message that He is with us. He wants us to take these individual risks to get to know Him better and therefore be a more active member of the corporate group. I’ll share with you, my Bible Journal friends that I took a big old leap of faith just this morning. For years God has nudged me, needled me and then literally pushed me into joining vocal team at ECC. I’ve always resisted. I have lots of music training and lots of experience singing in church. For some reason there was a roadblock for me when it came to auditioning at Eastview. I never felt that I was worthy of that kind of singing for Christ. I never felt like I belonged in that space. I told God that when all the stars were aligned; when all my little conditions were met I would audition for the team. I knew they never would…until they did. Then I told Him that I’d really show Him, that I’d audition and make of fool of myself and I’d prove to Him just how unworthy I am. I was so not going to do it. And then Matt Ludwig called. And I heard myself say, “yes.” Not so much, “yes Matt” but “yes Lord.” This morning, for the very first time I got to stand face to face with a crowd of Christians and see them raise their voices, their arms and their hearts to the Lord. I understood then that this opportunity isn’t about standing on a stage, it isn’t about being on stage. It’s a closeness I’ve never felt before. When we all stand, and we all sing together we are truly one body. Together, we can worship him more deeply. Together we can draw Him closer and see him more clearly.