And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Can you imagine Christianity today without Paul? Not only were his evangelistic travels around the Mediterranean incredible (with shipwrecks, snakebites, and imprisonment), but he authored the majority of the New Testament and wrote foundational theology we cling to today.

Paul loves the metaphor of Christ as the head with us being the body of his church.

He first uses it in Romans: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5) Then he gives a detailed description in 1 Corinthians 12, comparing parts of the body to different spiritual gifts, starting with verse 12 which says, “ Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…” He also used this metaphor while addressing the church in Colossus: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” (Colossians 3:15) But it’s most common in Ephesians, where we’re focused today. It’s important to consider that Paul wrote this letter to the entire congregation, a community of believers. He understood that everyone had a role to play and that Christ, the head, holds authority over everyone.

I make that distinction because it may be tempting to assume God’s authority just extends to the clergy, the leadership, and stops there. But with the metaphor of the head and the body, that’s not the case. As the head directs and guides every part of the body with each unique function and purpose, so does Christ direct and guide every member of the church body. Christ’s authority extends far beyond Pastor Brian and church leadership – it envelops you and me as well.

We can all think of examples where things go wrong and a physical head doesn’t have authority over its body. There are diseases that can make someone’s limbs jump and twitch involuntarily because of disruptions between the brain and nervous system. Obviously, drugs and alcohol can disrupt the authority someone has over their body. And I have a fond semi-memory of going through altitude chamber training with some buddies years ago when our hypoxic brains lost authority over the motor functions of our limbs and we just sat there giggling like children until the oxygen came on.

No one needs convincing that our heads are important, especially with regard to the authority they wield over our bodies. But look back up at verse 23 and the end of today’s passage. The church body is the FULLNESS of Christ. He has blessed us with spiritual gifts to fully express his character. That’s pretty cool. So, it’s not just authority in the sense of a hierarchical chain of command where a computer brain manipulates its cold, dead droid arm. We each act as a living, vibrant aspect of God’s character and together we form a full representation of who he is.

Our church body, united under Christ’s active and righteous authority, points the world to who God fully is. There’s some motivation!

How can you express God’s character in your community today?

Dear God, you are supreme over all creation. You are head of your church. You are head of ACF. Please drive me to humility. Help me to recognize your authority and carry out your will. Help unite ACF. Give me the courage to step up and be a voice of unity in the church so we can be the body that puts your fullness on display. I love you. Amen.