Eyeballs Can't Play Baseball

Most people are aware that the Scriptures were not written in English. They were written predominately in Hebrew, followed by Greek (not contemporary Greek but an older version of Greek), and a few portions in Aramaic. There is, however, another language that God commonly uses but is sometimes overlooked. It is the language of sarcasm. It is the language some of the prophets use and is commonly used by the Apostle Paul and the writers of the New Testament. God's Word is far more humorous and sarcastic than we may often think. Do you really think human beings came up with word plays, hyperbole and sarcasm while God stood amazed at the corruption of communication? If the Scriptures are truly God's Words, then sarcasm is one of the languages He chose to communicate in.

The Apostle Paul uses this exceptionally well as he writes to the believers in Corinth. Having been blessed with a sarcastic gene, I appreciate Paul's words and wonder why I am often the only one chuckling when the passage is read. The issue Paul deals with in 1 Corinthians 12-14 has infiltrated and infected the Messianic community (often called the church) for generations. It is simply the desire to be noticed or to be in charge. It is the disease Lucifer lost the battle to in Isaiah 14. The ego, "I first" disease. It was passed onto James, John, and their mom in Matthew 20:21 when she asked the Lord to seat one son on His right and the other on His left. "Just let my sons be recognized as your favorites." It still seems that so many want to feel important by having the appearance of some public or obvious gift. God's perspective is that we are all vital to the work of His Body for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 12:14-21 is a part of Paul's sarcastic rant. His point is that we have many parts in one body. We cannot discard any part as unnecessary or unimportant. It is also true that we can't all want to be the same part. Perhaps this will make Paul's illustration a bit more real to you. Many of us have had the opportunity to stand in a line to get picked to be on a team, perhaps, baseball. The team captains start with what appear to be the most valuable and then the less athletic ones. In this line there is a large eyeball. No arms, legs, or head, just an eyeball that rolls up to the line. No one wants to pick him. He can keep his eye on the ball but he can't swing. The body has to be more than an eyeball to function. Eyeballs can't play baseball. This is Paul's illustration. Let your imagination flow just a little. Come on, doesn't this rate at least a little smile? The illustration is funny; lighten up, enjoy God's humor. Then land on His point. We are all important. We are all vital to the work of the kingdom. It seems we often have more mouths than feet. Or lots of activity but so little heart. 

We are either numb, naive, or callous to the reality of Paul's illustration of the body. Paul pointedly says, "That there should be no schism in the body but the members should have the same care one for another. And when one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). We suffer when we are divided. We suffer alone when we are not connected. We all suffer when a part does not do their part. Your choice to skip out on times of corporate worship and ministry is wounding both to you and the body. We are mistaken if we think we can approach our connection to a local body cavalierly or as one of convenience. Your absence wounds the body and makes it less effective for God. Your "Church Hopping" denies ministry stability and leaves each assembly suffering from your frivolous acts of amputation. Worst of all, it causes the building of God's kingdom to suffer. If you are a hand or a foot or a liver, or whatever part God has made you, you are needed. You are essential. If you are disconnected, everyone pays a price. You and everyone else suffers. Remember eyeballs will never play baseball.