First and Last

Archived Notes

______________________________________

First and Last

Imagine a world where everything was the opposite of what we normally expect. For example, the winner of a race was actually the last to cross the finish line; the winning football team had the lowest score; or the last one in line was actually served before everyone else. While these examples seem backward or unfair by our present standards, a different system might find them altogether appropriate. Indeed, in God’s kingdom, things are not always what we expect, but are viewed as they really exist.

“Many who are first will be last; and the last, first” (Mt 19:30). Jesus said this after having shattered the expectations of the rich young ruler (19:16-22). His disciples were amazed that a man of wealth and status was not already favored by God; and if he could not be saved, “Then who can be saved?” (19:25, EM). Jesus explained that things are not always as they seem; in God’s kingdom, human or earthly estimations are irrelevant. Personal judgments are often distorted (consciously or not) because of self-interest, jealousy, and/or outward appearances (John 7:24). As Jesus used the terms, “first” is what we expect; “last” is what God says is true. Using different standards obviously leads to different conclusions. But God is not changing the rules on us; it is people who have perverted His perfect standard of justice. While Jesus appears to have presented a radical idea, He in fact described immutable, heavenly truth.

Because of men’s distorted perceptions, Jesus’ world seems backward and unfair. Heaven is entered through a “narrow door” (Mt 7:14)—but why such a narrow door, if God wants everyone saved? Discipleship is very demanding (Mt 16:24)—but if Christ wants followers, why make it so difficult? One achieves greatness through servitude (Mt 20:26)—but if God wants to improve our self-image, why give us such a lowly task? Yet Jesus does not appeal to human standards, but to heavenly ones; these two standards are incompatible, and reach different conclusions. When we adopt heavenly standards for human conduct, everything starts to make sense. A “narrow door” has no room to accommodate self-reliance—one must fully depend on God for his salvation. Discipleship is difficult because it is an excellent pursuit—and excellent things always cost the most. Honor and exaltation are given only after loyalty and obedience are proved. God’s system is not backward, but superior; what the world sees as valuable and advantageous (e.g., physical beauty, genius, material wealth, status, possessions, or the praise of men), God sees as useless and inferior (Luke 16:15).

One cannot bring his “baggage” into the kingdom of God. He must abandon his old thinking, his “old body of sin” (Rom 6:6), and his old standards and prejudice. What used to be “first” to him now becomes “last” and vice versa. Instead of, “The more I go to church, the more spiritual my life becomes,” now he sees that the more spiritual he becomes, the more he will seek fellowship with God and His people. Instead of, “The more I pray, the more I trust God,” now he will see that the more he trusts God, the more he will turn to Him in prayer. Sometimes, however, Christians get “first” and “last” all twisted around. Some are: the first to be heard, but the last to listen; the first to criticize, but the last to offer solutions; the first to seek praise, but the last to commend; the first to air complaints, but the last to offer solutions; etc. Regardless of how superior our estimation of something (or someone) is, if it disagrees with heavenly truth then it is wrong and must be replaced with a better perspective. Those who refuse to adopt the King’s perspective will not stand before Him; those who do not “strive” to enter the kingdom are not worthy of it (cf. Luke 13:22-30). God does not ask us what we would like to see, but tells us what we need to know and what is in our best interest.

Salvation is not based on what one does, but on what one becomes. Obviously, Jesus requires our obedience. But He does not want us simply to “obey laws”; He wants us to be transformed in the process of learning what it is we must do. Thus, we should not only ask, “What must I do to be saved?” but “What must I become in order to be saved?” Pursuing this higher objective will change our view of what is “first” and “last.” By itself, our vision is shortsighted at best; Christ’s vision sees into eternity, however, and is crystal-clear.

Click here if you would like to Respond to the Article