Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. Colossians 1:18 NLT

Several Years ago, a friend of mine and I went to the Bodies exhibit at the MOSI Museum in Tampa, where we saw real bodies on display. One of the exhibits featured a nerve that ran from the small toe up the spinal column to the brain. The moment the toe was injured, the message shot to the brain, which felt the pain instantly. 

Image © Phil McKay from GoodSalt.com

As I studied this exhibit, I thought of Colossians 1:18: Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and we are His body. I realized that just as the brain feels pain the moment the smallest body part is injured, so when the smallest member of the body of Christ is hurt, Jesus, Who is the Head of the body, is the first to feel the pain. 

No wonder why Jesus told Saul on the road to Damascus, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!” Acts 9:5 NLT. Jesus felt the pain of every member whom Saul persecuted. This is why Satan targets followers of Jesus.  Satan wants to hurt Jesus, and he knows the best way to hurt Jesus is to hurt the members of His body. There is consolation in this truth.

Many of us have experienced pain, trials and persecutions that others do not understand. This makes us feel lonely and isolated. But when we share in Jesus’ pain and persecution, we grow closer to Christ in understanding and gain an intimacy with Him that the world will never understand. This may be why Paul said,

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10 -11NLT

Just like the toe cannot feel pain without the brain feeling pain, likewise, the smallest member of the body of Christ cannot hurt without Christ, Who is the Head, hurting with us. The toe cannot feel pain alone, and you cannot feel pain alone either. As soon as you are hurt, Christ is right beside you, sharing your pain. Or, since Satan is really trying to get at Christ, instead of saying He shares our pain, could it be said that we share His pain? If so then Jesus, Who had to tread the winpress alone, with no one to help Him, (Isaiah 63:3) is now no longer alone. Millions of persecuted saints are right there with Him. 

Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:13 NLT

Because of the connection between the little toe and the brain, neither the brain nor the toe is ever alone. Neither ever cries alone. Likewise, because of the connection the smallest member of the body of Christ has with Christ Himself, neither the smallest member nor Christ Himself ever cries alone in pain. We have a constant companion in our sufferings and in our glorious victories, 

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/the-intimate-and-sacred-privilege-of-suffering-with-christ/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-intimate-and-sacred-privilege-of-suffering-with-christ

Daily Lesson for Sunday 15th of February 2026

When we look in the mirror or at a photograph, we see an image of ourselves, but it is a flat, two-dimensional portrayal. In some respects, a sculpture gives a clearer idea yet still falls far short of the living, breathing, animated reality. The biblical concept of image, while sometimes referring to these lesser representations, suggests something broader still.

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

Human beings were created to be as much like God as possible—physically, spiritually, relationally, and functionally. Still, they reflect God’s image in certain aspects only, and sin has damaged even that. But Jesus enables us to “see” the invisible God. “He who has seen Me,” Jesus said, “has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NKJV). He is “the exact imprint” of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:3, ESV). He is God’s thought made audible and God’s character made visible.

Note other ways in which Jesus described His relation to God the Father:

• “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working” (John 5:17, NKJV).

• “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30, NKJV).

• “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV).

Jesus also repeatedly described Himself in an absolute sense in terms of God’s name: “I AM” (see Exodus 3:14); “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35); “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12); “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11,14); “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25); “I am in the Father, and the Father in me” (John 14:11); and “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-08-image-of-the-invisible-god/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-08-image-of-the-invisible-god