06/24/2026
Parable of the Parts
One day the parts and systems of the body were deep in conversation, comparing their importance. What started as a discussion turned into a full blown self esteem contest. Every part was convinced they were the most essential.
Brain spoke first, confident and polished.
“Let’s be honest,” he said. “I run this whole operation. Without me, none of you could function. I coordinate, calculate, and command. You’re all here because of me.”
Before the applause he imagined could arrive, Heart let out a long sigh.
“Hold on, genius. If I stop, the whole system shuts down. I carry life to every part of this body. I’m not just important—I’m essential.”
Stomach and Intestines jumped in like a frustrated choir.
“You may carry the life, but without us you’d have nothing to carry. We take raw material and turn it into the nutrients that keep all of you going.”
Hand couldn’t stay quiet.
“None of you would have raw material if I didn’t pick it up and bring it to the mouth!”
Mouth added, “Exactly. Processing starts with me and the teeth. I’m the gateway to the whole operation.”
At this point the room erupted—every part arguing, defending, elevating itself above the others.
Until one voice rose above the chaos.
The A**l Sphincter.
“Enough!” it shouted. “All of you need to stop arguing right now. Because if I decide to stop doing my job, we’ll see how long any of you last.”
Silence.
Because everyone knew… it was true.
The Truth Behind the Parable
The body can survive without some parts, but it was designed to function as a whole—each part serving the others, none competing for the spotlight.
The body was created for longevity, even eternity, with every part fulfilling its purpose without needing to prove its greatness.
The Kingdom Connection
One day the disciples had a similar argument.
They had just returned from their first ministry assignment—diseases healed, demons cast out, miracles flowing. And now they were debating who was the greatest.
You can almost hear Peter:
“Did you see me, James? That demon came at me and I stood tall and cast it out!”
James fires back:
“I saw the demon leave, but I also saw you flinch like a scared kid when it manifested.”
Then each disciple began listing their credentials, their moments, their reasons they should be considered the greatest.
Jesus, hearing all of this, gently pulled a child into their circle.
He looked at them and said:
“If you want to be great in My Kingdom, you must change the way you think and become like this child. In this world, greatness is measured by who rises to the top. In My Kingdom, greatness is measured by who becomes the servant of all.”
The way up is down.
To live, you die.
To be great, you serve.
It is an upside down Kingdom.
The Moral of the Parable of the Parts
We need each other.
Every part matters.
Every person matters.
And the body only thrives when every member serves the others.
So don’t wait for the least glamorous part of the body to remind you of the truth—
because sometimes it takes an as***le to show the whole body how much it needs each other.
