Spiritual Anatomy

What is spiritual anatomy you may ask?  It is the anatomy of the body of Christ.  Clues of how we fit together as a body, and how healthy relationships with one another can benefit the body as a whole, are found in Ezekiel 37.

(This is an excerpt from the book, Effective Pastoral Care in the Local Church.)
Ligaments and Tendons Added At Joints
for Strength and Support

The whole body is being held together by the ligaments and tendons according to Colossians 2:19:

And not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

The source of our strength is Jesus Christ; he is the head of the body.  From him comes nourishment that supplies all of our needs.  As long as we remain in him, and he in us, we have a continuous supply to meet every need.  The joints and the ligaments hold the bones of the body together.

Once again, the bones are the individual members of the body of Christ, the members come together at the joints which are relationships. When relationships are strengthened by right attitudes, the whole body is strengthened. Alone we are vulnerable, but together we are whole.  We were created for unity.  We were created for relationship.

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.    Romans 12:4-5

Covering of Flesh and Skin

Once again, Ezekiel tells us how the bones were covered with flesh and skin.  In keeping with the analogy of the human body, what might the flesh and skin represent in the body of Christ?  For one thing, we know that we are held together by a bond of peace.  Let us examine another scripture that focuses on the concept presented in this chapter.

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:2-3

pastoral careWe see how right attitudes including: humility, patience, and love maintained in a bond of peace can strengthen the whole body.  The bond of peace is similar to the covering of flesh. The skin, the ultimate bond, is love.  We are to love one another.  At the end of the day, it is love through faith holding us all together.

Then The Breath Came In To Them

Ezekiel prophesied to the four winds and breath came into them, and they came alive.  The wind is symbolic of God’s spirit.  Like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, the breath revived the dead bones and they stood on their feet as a mighty army.  In Act 2, the disciples are awaiting the promise of God; then a mighty rushing wind came in to the upper room.  They were endued with power from on high.  The awaited promise had come.