By Jackie Weber
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
— Romans 12: 4-5
If you have walked as a Christian and been a student of the Bible for any length of time, you have at some point come to learn that ‘the Body of Christ’ is a metaphor used to represent the Church. In at least four of his letters, the Apostle Paul uses this term to communicate the unity and oneness of all believers. The term also communicates our dependence on Jesus, our Head, and our connectedness and interdependence on one another. This life in Christ is not a solo affair.
… speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way
into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body,
joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped,
when each part is working properly,
makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
— Ephesians 4:15–16
So there will be one flock, one Shepherd.
—John 10:16b
To tie in the shepherding metaphor, we are a flock for a reason. Did you know the flocking instinct in sheep is important for their survival? If they are isolated from their flock, they are demonstrably anxious and stressed. Gathering together protects them from predators. Their intense social instinct bonds them closely with one another, making it unlikely they will be alone searching for food or left as an outlier susceptible to danger.
If one member suffers, all suffer together;
if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
—1 Corinthians 12:26–27
It is a fact that as followers of Jesus we are members of His metaphorical Body. We are fellow sheep in His flock. If one is in pain, all are in pain. If one has cause to celebrate, all celebrate together.
But are we really living our lives in this kind of intimate community as God designed? Do you know your fellow members of the Body well enough to know when they are suffering? And if you do, are you in close enough relationship with them that you also experience their pain? Do the circumstances that affect them truly affect you at a soul level, enough to move you to your knees or compel you to come alongside with provision, protection, and your presence? Yes, as sheep we also have a responsibility to shepherd laterally.
What about rejoicing with the other members of His Body when they have reason to rejoice? Do you do this well? Find this easy? Or do things like pride, jealousy, envy, busyness, or ‘the cares of this world’, reduce your capacity to celebrate with others?
Are you doing life – in all its ups, downs, and sometimes daily doldrums – in unity with the flock, or have you found yourself a bit isolated? Admittedly, it can be hard to choose to be with others. Bumping up against them all the time can be wearisome. Their wool is sometimes scratchy and uncomfortable. Our feet can get tangled together, or we can just grow tired of their bleating. But…
Dear sheep, we belong to Him but also to one another. We thrive and mature in the faith only as we together remain connected to our Head… only as we together follow our shepherd, walking and working side by side to build one another up.
As one flock, with one Shepherd, let us remember that we are members of one another. We are fellow sheep, essential to each other for survival, growth, and thriving. After all, we were called to this. It is not always easy, but it is worth it. And I believe as we lean into and practice this truth, we will find He is also forming us into better shepherd leaders.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body.
And be thankful.
— Colossians 3:15
DIGGING DEEPER QUESTIONS:
- As a shepherd leader, who are the people in your intimate community? Or would you consider yourself a bit (or a lot) isolated?
- Do you know your sheep well enough to know if they are suffering or experiencing pain? How are you compelled to come alongside them?
- Are you able to identify any things like Jackie mentioned in this post that reduces your capacity to provide, protect, or be present for the sheep entrusted to your care?
