The Head

DAY 42          WRITTEN BY: ELIZABETH BROOME

• READ

  Ephesians 4:15

  But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

• REFLECT

  In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he taught about spiritual gifts. The gifts Christ has given us should be used to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to edify the church (Ephesians 4:12). Because everyone is given different gifts, our growth will look different. However, as long as we are submitted to Christ, the Head of the church, we will have the same outcome.

  Christ is not asking us to do something He hasn’t done. He submitted to the will of the Father when He came to earth. In John, Jesus said “I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30b). This should motivate us as we serve the church. Paul explained to the Corinthians that the church is “Christ’s and Christ’s is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:23). As we grow together, we are serving both Jesus and the Father.

  Christ is also unified with the Father. In John 10:30, Jesus says “I and my Father are one.” While Jesus was equal to the Father, Jesus submitted to the Father’s will. As we submit to the Head of the church, we are submitting to the Father and will grow in unity together. As Paul told the church, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in on hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all Who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

• RESPOND

  Heavenly Father, Thank you for the example that we have in Jesus. Help me to submit to Christ as I grow in the gifts you gave me. Help our church to grow spiritually and in unity with the Father. Amen.