“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV
Reflection on Today's Verse
Humanity is naturally obsessed with division. Politics, sports teams, Mac vs. PC—pick your poison. But here comes Paul, crashing through all that with this radical unity mic drop. He’s not saying, “Hey, you should maybe try to get along.” No, he’s saying, “You are one body. Like it or not.” You don’t get to RSVP for this unity thing. Baptized by the Spirit? Boom. You’re in. Team Jesus.
And let’s not skip over the “given the one Spirit to drink” part. I love that image—drinking of the Spirit. It’s intimate, sustaining, and also kind of funny if you imagine a heavenly lemonade stand with the Spirit as the main offering. But it’s deeper than just a nice metaphor for hydration. This Spirit? It’s the life source that unites us, quenches our thirst for meaning, and, frankly, keeps us from spiritually passing out in this crazy world.
Of course, being “one body” doesn’t mean we’re all the same. The body has hands, feet, elbows, and—let’s be honest—probably a couple of weird toenails. We’re meant to be different, but those differences are what make the body function. Can you imagine if the church was just a bunch of mouths talking over each other? Oh wait, maybe you can. (Ouch, too real?) But seriously, it’s in that diversity—different cultures, gifts, perspectives—that God’s glory shines the brightest. Unity isn’t about uniformity; it’s about harmony.
So, what do we do with this? Maybe take a second to think about that coworker or church member who drives you absolutely bonkers. Yeah, they’re part of the body too. You don’t get to chop off the metaphorical finger just because it annoys you. The Spirit has made us one, like it or not. And honestly? That’s good news. Because if God can take this mess of humanity and weave us into one Spirit-filled tapestry, imagine what He can do with our individual messes.
And that, my friends, is something worth drinking to. Cheers—Spirit on the rocks, anyone?
Personal Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, the One who unites us as one body. It amazes me that in Your Kingdom, there’s no hierarchy, no divisions—just Your grace pulling us all together. Whether we’re different by culture, status, or background, You’ve made us one, and that’s both beautiful and humbling.
But I’ll be honest, Lord—sometimes being part of this body isn’t easy. Some “body parts” rub me the wrong way. I know I’m not perfect either, and yet You’ve called me to love and serve others just as they are. Help me see others the way You do—as indispensable, beloved, and filled with purpose.
Holy Spirit, remind me to drink deeply from You every day. Let Your presence sustain me, soften my rough edges, and shape me into someone who brings harmony to Your body, not division. Teach me to celebrate the differences that reflect Your creativity, and to cherish the unity that reflects Your heart.
Thank You, Lord, for baptizing me into this family, for giving me a place to belong, and for always being the glue that holds us together. Keep me humble, joyful, and eager to live out this calling.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.