“But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.“
Generally most people would prefer being first in most things that are good or enjoyable. First choice is generally the best choice. Even in the expression “saving the best till last” – its not that you didn’t want it first, but rather it is a discipline which has taught us that sometimes there are other things which once done, will permit us to savor something with uninterrupted pleasure.
Everything around us says the best is first and the first is best – well almost everything – sometimes when it comes to work, or a call for volunteers – we think to let someone else go first, which may be to our advantage if we didn’t want to do it anyway. So, in all cases, my first choice will always be what is most advantageous to me.
God’s ways are not man’s ways – and God reveals this in the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Those who got hired last were paid first, but everyone received the same wage. It didn’t seem fair then, and it doesn’t seem fair now. But the point is not that everyone receives the same – the point is everyone receives what they need – the point is that God can be generous, and that we should not be jealous when God is generous, but to be thankful that everyone receives what they need.
Jesus tells us what we need to do to be first; we need to acknowledge Christ before men. We need to love Christ more than we love mother or father or wife or husband or son or daughter. Above all we need to take up our cross and follow him. As we put Christ front and center in our thoughts we are then told in Matthew 20:26– 28 “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Therefore, Greatness in the kingdom of God is not being served, but serving others.
Slaves are great in the kingdom of God – for a slave only does the master’s will.
Servants are great in the kingdom of God – for a servant does what is needed.
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve – to give his life that others might live.
Those who would follow Jesus can expect to do no less.
This is worth doing, because of the promise of God, that he will lift up the humble and the reward will be great in heaven. Mary, when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, declared to her that her soul magnified the Lord and that He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts (1.52); he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree(1:53): he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty (1:54). He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.
This is the promise of Christ. That he will provide for us. That he will protect us. That he will save us provided that we willingly become his.