Ekklesia: God’s Idea of ChurchSample

Day 9: Suffer and rejoice together

Have you ever suffered food poisoning? This terrible condition doesn’t just affect the stomach, but afflicts the entire body. There would be serious vomiting, bodily chills, and fever, all contributing to flat-out agony. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers with it.

What would be your typical response when a fellow brother or sister is given honour? How do you usually react when you notice that someone around you is in pain? As members of one body, God calls us to be so closely connected to one another that we can share in grief and joy. When someone around us suffers, we grieve alongside them as if it were our own pain. In the same way, we are to be so tightly knit to other members of the body that we rejoice in each other’s victories. Instead of feeling envious of what they have received or allowing insecurity to threaten our self-worth, the Scriptures urge us to celebrate the successes of others as if they were our own.

We are all part of the same body of Christ, and are called to journey alongside one another in our pilgrimage on earth. As heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ who share in His sufferings and also in His glory (Romans 8:17), let us also share in the sufferings and joys of others in the ekklesia.

Reflect & Respond

• Think of one situation in church where you find it hard to share in the joy of another. Make a commitment to cast aside envy or doubt, and make his/her joy your own.
• Think of one person in church who may be suffering in this season. Take the time to pray for and check in on this person today.