The last shall be first

Matthew 19:30

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

This is one of the statements of Christ that defies our logic and confounds our reasoning. It overturns our thinking, and subverts every mantra of our philosophy. For we think of people in levels, in categories, or in a hierarchy. These are first! Surely, they shall be first in the kingdom of God! And those are last! That is what the disciples thought. Perhaps they had reason to think they would inherit a high position in the kingdom, because they had left all to follow Christ. And Jesus seems to give some merit to that when He explains that they will sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. But how bent they were on this philosophy! How this mentality had permeated their minds! John and James had asked to sit, one on the right hand, and the other on the left, in glory. They had these grand assumptions. They believed that they must be first!And perhaps someone else who had not left all to follow Christ would be last. There must be a first and there must be a last!

But the Lord Jesus, as His manner was, immediately crushed their ideas, and turned everything upside down from what is normally thought or understood. Jesus wanted them to know, indeed, He wants us to know, that things are not as we might think they ought to be. Things will not be as they initially appear to our minds and to our human perception. Because there are many, yea, thousands and thousands of untold and unsung and unseen Christian men and women who shall have a great place in the Kingdom of God whom we have never seen, known, or heard. Many that are first shall be last! Many of the great figures and personalities that seem to speak louder and more powerfully than others, could be last! And many of the last, those never seen or listened to, and never thought of as great or influential, may be first. Many that are first shall be last, and the last first!

Now, this is a warning and a consolation all wrapped in one. It is a warning against pride! Do not think you are special, greater, or more worthy than others. You may be disappointed to find that he that exalteth himself shall be abased. You may be humiliated. But think of the consolation and encouragement that may be administered to those who have never been seen or noticed by the majority of all others. Those whom the masses have not looked to. They have a special place! God has something for them. They may be first! They may be the ones who, having humbled themselves, shall be exalted. They have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God, and He shall exalt them in due time. Let us ponder this today, and not seek great things for ourselves, but seek the God who does great things through small means. Do you want the greatest blessing of God? Seek to be a humble servant, and be willing to be last. And know that there are many that are disregarded here which shall be much set by up there. God shall make it all plain one day. Let us be humble, and the Lord will bring to light in His time that which all others did not see.

“Father, we ask that You would help us this day to posses true humility, not seeking to uplift ourselves, but leaving that in Your jurisdiction. And may we not look at others as being on tiers and in levels of greatness, but to know that many things are opposite from what we perceive and observe. May we be Your humble servants. And You do with us as pleases You. And we trust You for all these things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”