A head exists in a living, healthy human body. Each physical part serves a distinct function and answers to the head, although they are all subservient to it. A head is necessary for a body to operate. Paul describes the church in Ephesians 5:23–24 using this analogy. The head is equated to Jesus Christ, the part of the body that all other parts of the body subject to. We are compared to the body as Christians, churchgoers, and believers.
Our life comes from God
Since Christ is the leader of the church, we must pay attention to and follow Him. We shall complete the assignment or tasks He has given us when we obey His instructions and directions.
As we see in Colossians 2:19, the head is also an image of the source of life. “The Head, from whom the entire body grows in a way that is divinely derived.” Therefore, when Christ is referred to be the Head of the Church, it indicates that He is the source of both our life and its sustenance.
No part of the body is irrelevant
However, the body is also significant. Paul makes the point that every Christian and church member has gifts and abilities when the church is operating at its peak. And just as in a biological body, each member has a job to do to ensure that the church runs well. He goes on to say that each church member is essential to the smooth operation of a strong church.
In the same way that a body wouldn’t tell its legs, feet, or hands, “I don’t need you; I just want to hear, see, and smell,” It also wouldn’t say, “I don’t need you,” to the ear or the eye. All I want to do is walk and use my hands. Therefore, no bodily part is unimportant or useless. 1 Corinthians 12:12–20.
We are responsible for each other
The entire body is impacted when one part of it hurts, suffers, or experiences an issue. Have you ever suffered a hammer blow to the thumb or broken an arm or leg? Did you ever get sick? Did it have an impact on every part of your life and body? It did; whether you break your arm or leg, are ill in some other way, or require other means of transportation to enable you to accomplish all of your necessary responsibilities, the pain is usually the only thing on your mind.
If your arm or leg is broken, you will treat it gently and protect it from further harm or agony. The same is true of the church: if one member is suffering, the church as a whole will suffer as well (1 Corinthians 12:26). As such, we must assist, defend, or take action to bring about healing in order to prevent the church from becoming incapacitated or deficient in any of the essential functions of the body.
Like the body, the church is made up of many different components, and we have an obligation to care for and maintain the health of each member of the church as well as ourselves.
