OH, HOW PRECIOUS IS THE BODY OF CHRIST!
- Key Verse
And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone. (Matthew 27:66)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Don’t mess with God’s plan to love and protect His Church.
Reflections
Unlike most of Christ’s followers that day, Joseph risked his own security to align himself with Jesus, an executed enemy of Rome and Israel. In a time of great despair, he lovingly cared for the body of Christ.
God protected the Lord's body as His enemies feared that Christ’s followers would try to steal His body. His enemies' efforts actually added credibility to the resurrection and, therefore, the hope of the gospel of Christ that the disciples taught. This teaching has grown in the hearts of followers of Christ over the years and is manifested today in the Church (Colossians 1:23-25).
As in the days that Christ’s body was in the tomb, despair often enters the lives of believers. When our difficulties send us to the depths of despair, we can seal ourselves into emotional graves. For weeks after my stroke, I lay helpless in the hospital bed fading in and out of consciousness. The future was decidedly bleak. Would I ever lead a normal life again? Would I ever sit up? Feed and dress myself? Walk?
In spite of my doubts, each waking moment brought visions of diligent caregivers, family, and friends. They surrounded my bed in prayer. When I came home from the hospital, they visited and encouraged my family, brought meals for months, and invited me to their homes despite the difficulty of dealing with my wheelchair and me. They became my hands and feet, making household repairs that I longed to do myself. They cleaned out the attic and garage, painted walls, installed molding and much more to prepare our home of 39 years to be sold. They helped with our subsequent move. They made sure I got to men’s Bible study. They have listened, laughed, and cried with us. They rejoiced with every new move of a finger and, eventually, with my first shaky steps.
They continue to be patient with my afflictions as I adjust to the “new Bobby” who has, through them, learned joy in humility and in accepting the kindness of others.
Oh, how precious is the body of Christ! (Romans 12:5).
Discussion Questions
1. What specific way can you love someone today as Christ loved the Church?
2. Do you allow others to give the love of Christ to you?
3. Do you have more than one person to whom you can go with your despair?
4. Does your affiliation with the body of Christ include some risk?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What did the priests and the Pharisees come to talk about with Pilate?
2. What did they do to keep Jesus’ body from being stolen?
3. What did Jesus say would happen on the third day? Do you think the sealed tomb will keep God from raising Jesus from the dead?
Mary Wall
April 23, 2010 06:57 AM
Bobby~Your writing touched me deeply. I know your journey must have been so hard, but in your sharing that, I can speak confidently, it has touched many hearts. God Bless you. Mary Wall
BC
April 23, 2010 07:09 AM
Bobby, the Lord is using you to make a difference in the men of Watermark at Summit. Grateful for your heart to serve Him, even in the midst of challenges. BC
David
April 23, 2010 07:50 AM
Good morning my brother in Christ! I LOVE how you LOVE Christ, others and me! I thank the Lord for your heart for His people! Good words of encouragement for me TODAY!
Sue Bohlin
April 23, 2010 07:53 AM
Oh Bobby, how much I understand and appreciate the truths of your devo! Although by no means as dramatic a loss as the effects of a stroke--and I am so very, very sorry for what you have to deal with because of it--I continually ratchet down to new levels of lost ability, strength and mobility because of post-polio syndrome. It has been such a delight to see how the Body of Christ willingly and cheerfully provides help and assistance to me in so many ways! I have discovered that my loss of ability provides opportunities for God to show me His tender and powerful lovingkindness through His people: and wouldn't you know, my love language is acts of service! Thank you for being so transparent, Bobby: Jesus shines easily through your transparency!
Todd Shaddock
April 23, 2010 08:14 AM
I cannot imagine the amount of Christ's love you must have felt when the church body cared for you the way they did. Praise Him for such a wonderful community and the way He humbles us so that he might allow us to see his love more fully.
Paul G
April 23, 2010 08:15 AM
Love your attitude, appreciate your spirit, encouraged by your learnings, thankful for what you've shared...
jake
April 23, 2010 09:44 AM
I like the "new Bobby"! You surely have an influence over men young and old alike. I cherish your attitude, spirit and heart for Christ. Thankful for you today.
Steph Miller
April 23, 2010 09:54 AM
Awesome devo, Papa G! You're a huge inspiration and encouragement... and you're fun!
Jim
April 23, 2010 11:09 AM
Bobby,your Journey entry is a great illustation of God's love and how the body of Christ should function. Lord help all of us at Watermark to be like those folks in Bobby's life who have loved him so well thorugh this difficult journey. Love serving with you, Jim
Veronica Serna
April 23, 2010 11:28 AM
Bobby, thank you so much for encouraging me this morning with your truth filled words! It is a joy to know you!
Scott Kedersha
April 23, 2010 11:56 AM
Bobby - you were one of my first friends in Dallas 8 years ago. Grateful for your friendship and wisdom, and getting to serve together. Like countless others, I love the "new Bobby" (and of course your awesome bride Gloria!). Thanks for leading us well through this passage.
Todd Wagner
April 23, 2010 11:57 AM
Bobby...many a morning at Summit I have watched you get out of your car EARLY and come inside with joy to love others, remind yourself of great truth and press on. Thank you for spurring me on and leading by example. You are one of the great leaders in our body and are living proof of the truth of James 1:2-4. May the Lord mulitply your strenght and your kind. Grateful with you that there is a resurrection for all of us coming that will forever do away with these bodies of death.
Kate Gilpin
April 23, 2010 01:57 PM
Dad, I could not be more proud of you. You've followed God down a painful road you didn't choose or expect...and continue to rely on Him. And Oh! how he's provided and protected. Thank you for continuing to show me that he is faithful with our trust. ...You train me to trust him. I love you and am so blessed to be your daughter. -Kath
Robin Howard
April 26, 2010 12:21 PM
Thank you for sharing your story and how Christ's love and Grace is perfect and sufficient. Thank you for encouraging me to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting world! He is RISEN indeed!!!