The Last Will Be The First

The statement, “The last will be the first”, appears to be incongruous with societal norms when viewed from the perspective of renowned scholars. In today’s fiercely competitive world, striving to be the foremost in all endeavours has become ingrained in the minds of many. To understand the meaning of last becoming first, it is essential to distinguish between the concepts of percentage and percentile. The former fails to provide an adequate basis for comparing a given value, while the latter enables such a comparison against the wider dataset.

Percentages offer the gratification of achieving a maximum score out of one hundred, whereas percentiles provide a more realistic assessment of an individual’s performance relative to that of others. For instance, achieving an eighty percent score may elicit delight, as it suggests that only a few other candidates could have surpassed this tally on the merit list. However, with the introduction of percentiles, it becomes evident that this score surpasses only eighty percent of candidates, rather than a perfect one hundred percent. This explanation lends logic to the assertion that the first may indeed find themselves in a position that is far from the foremost.

Mis-Conception

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV)

Understanding the concept of the last becoming the first is contingent upon the analysis of specific data rather than arbitrary numerical benchmarks. Although seemingly paradoxical, a deeper examination unveils its profound logic. When Jesus conveyed this message to His disciples, He did so with His focus on His Father in Heaven, drawing upon a knowledge that surpasses the limitations of human perception. However, the disciples initially struggled to grasp the broader significance contained within His words.

While they mistakenly interpreted it in the context of their personal rankings and achievements among the twelve, Jesus’ statement holds a deep truth. It serves as a wake-up call for believers within the Church, urging them to refrain from comparing their individual performances to those of their fellow believers, and instead urging them to align themselves with the absolute truth.

The Expectations of The Disciples

After Peter professed his faith in the Messiah, the other disciples realized that their beloved Master was indeed the long-awaited Messiah. Filled with joy, they began to hope that their Messiah would overthrow the Roman Emperor. However, Peter expressed his concerns when Jesus first revealed that he would have to endure suffering. Peter even rebuked Jesus, urging him to seek victory and power instead of suffering.

Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me.

Matthew 16:22-23 (NIV)

Peter, James, and John bore witness to the transfiguration of Jesus, their hearts filled with awe. The remaining disciples, together with the three who accompanied Jesus from the mountain, were privy to His miraculous deliverance of a demon-possessed boy, marvelling as He commanded the evil spirits not to afflict the child again. This momentous event brought them great joy. Amidst their joy, Jesus once again foretold His impending death, allowing His disciples to comprehend the manner in which He would ultimately triumph. However, despite Jesus’ prediction, the two of His disciples found themselves expressing a sense of helplessness while on the road to Emmaus.

In a turn of events, Peter found himself disheartened by the prophecy, yet as the discussion unfolded, he gradually grappled with the idea that Jesus, following the conquest of the Roman Empire, would ascend to His Father (that is, experience His own demise). The question that lingered was: who would succeed Jesus? Intense deliberations ensued, prompting Jesus to respond with profound wisdom: “Truly I tell you, whoever desires to be first must be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Becoming A Child

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18:1-5 (NIV)

To comprehend the teachings of Jesus, it is essential to consider the societal treatment of children during His time. In the historical context of the Old Testament era, children were often regarded as possessions and lacked the privilege of receiving care and nurturing. Shocking instances of extreme desperation, such as recorded incidents of mothers resorting to cannibalism, are mentioned in 2 Kings 6:26-29.

Additionally, the story of Joseph illustrates the mistreatment he endured at the hands of his own brothers. Similarly, King David, as the youngest son, was relegated to the responsibility of tending to the family’s livestock. Matthew’s account of the Gospel even captures the tragic massacre of the infants just to put the king at ease.

Jesus encourages us to adopt the humble disposition of a child, setting aside our intellect and abilities. During Jesus’ era, the innocent children unknowingly endured a grave peril as King Herod, lacking the patience to locate the infant Jesus, ordered the execution of all children of the same age. This ruthless act ultimately compelled Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt with the young Jesus, ensuring His safety.

However, Jesus wants the people who are becoming children to be recognized because when we welcome them, we are actually welcoming God, who is the reason behind everything. Jesus calls upon us to humble ourselves and surrender our lives to Him, willingly embracing His will without wavering in our trust in the goodness of God.

One may question the fairness of God allowing the tragic loss of innocent lives to protect His Son. However, we must remember that His Son willingly came into this world to lay down His life for the redemption of mankind. In the grand tapestry of martyrdom, we often overlook these little infants who unknowingly became pioneers of the ranks of the martyrs. Though society may not have recognized them in their time, God values their sacrifice greatly.

This reminds us that God desires to use us for His purposes, even before the world acknowledges or appreciates us. Are we willing to fulfil His will without seeking personal recognition or worldly rewards? Jesus asks us to become a child as He became an unwanted child who came to existence in a manger

Our Role Model

Jesus Himself set an example for us when He humbled Himself to the extent of washing the feet of His disciples. Our Lord, continuing to be our guiding light, astonishingly took on the role of a servant, not merely to cleanse the feet of His followers, but to absolve the sins of all humanity. In an act of unparalleled humility, He willingly set aside His heavenly glory. Yet, in His unfathomable wisdom, God the Father did not allow Him to remain in insignificance. Instead, He elevated Jesus to the highest of ranks, the foremost among the reborn, and bestowed upon Him the esteemed title of “LORD.”

In a world where opportunities are often limited, our focus should not solely be on personal advancement. Rather, it is vital that we embrace the principles echoed by our Savior Himself – the idea that there is an abundance of space in His Kingdom. In light of this, it is incumbent upon us to uplift and empower others, ultimately leading them to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

John 14:12 (NIV)

In the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus passionately imparts a powerful message: “The last shall be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16). This teaching ignites a fervent fire within our souls, reminding us that it matters not the length or intensity of our toil in this earthly existence. Rather, all who accept Jesus shall partake in the same glorious reward: the gift of eternal life!

A Call To The Believers

In the context of the world, being the last may be perceived as a setback. However, in the spiritual realm, it is crucial to humbly embrace the position of being the last in order to fulfill our duty in the ongoing battle against evil. Our Heavenly Father, who has justified His Son, continues to offer His justification to all who willingly take a backseat, allowing others to draw closer to God.

Are we willing to step aside, selflessly creating space for others to walk the path of truth? Or will we persist in obstructing their journey towards God, solely driven by selfish motives of our ambition to be the first? Let us cast aside jealousy and rivalry, embracing the uplifting power of His word that nourishes our spirits day by day.

God calls the faithful within the Church, reminding them to avoid the temptation of comparing their personal accomplishments with those of their fellow believers. Instead, the emphasis lies in aligning oneself with unwavering truth. Should we genuinely be serving our God and creating a space wherein others can also find solace in the true God? Let us own the passion for our Savior’s truth!

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Matthew 20:16 (NIV)