Look at your body. Some parts look similar (for example, fingers, toes, eyes, and ears), but even they are different-no two thumbs are the same, nor two hairs. Some parts are completely different: your nose isn't the same as your mouth, and your belly button isn't the same as your knee. All these are different and yet, together, they make up one body.

Paul uses the human body to illustrate the church, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12). We can't see a person if the person does not have a body. So it is with Jesus. He shows himself on earth through His body, the church.

The Corinthians were different from one another in terms of class, status, religious background, culture, and education. In the past, those differences had kept them apart. But now, Paul reminds them, ″we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body″, and ″we were all given the one Spirit to drink″ (v. 13). The one Spirit of Jesus had come into each of the Corinthians' dry lives like living water, and plunged each of them into the one Christ. They are different and yet, they are now one. They are connected as a finger is to a hand, as a hand is to an arm, as an arm is to a torso, as a torso is to a neck, as a neck is to a head. Different parts, but one body. That's what Christ and His Spirit do-unite divided people!

Paul also uses the body to teach the Corinthians that they need one another (vv. 15-20). A foot may feel inferior to a hand but, however it feels, it's a vital part of the body. One foot on its own would be no good: it needs the rest of the body, and the body needs it. God hasn't got it wrong in gifting you the way He has. You are vital to the body of Christ.

There were prima donnas in Corinth who thought that they didn't need those who ″seem to be weaker″ (vv. 21-22)-Christians who didn't have the same gifts as they did. But Paul says these weaker members are ″indispensable″ (v. 22). God honours them and there's no room for arrogance. Neither is there place for division, because God in His wisdom has brought them all together (vv. 24-25). So, all are valuable and need care.

The point is clear. In Jesus' body, each part is different and necessary (v. 27). There's no room for jealously, arrogance, or independence.

Heavenly Father, thank You for putting me in Christ's body. Help me to see my place in it, to play my full part, and to value every member.