On three instances Jesus said,
“So the last will be first, and the first last.” Matthew 20:16 (ESV)
“And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:30 (ESV)
When Jesus said this three times, it is very sure that He was emphasizing on very important truths for us to know and live by. In this post we will meditate on the context of the verses in Matthew 19:30 and will find out the reason why anyone who is first would become the last and otherwise.
From being good to becoming perfect
A young ruler comes to Jesus and asks Him, “What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). In reply Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. These requirement boxes are already ticked in his life.
“The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”” Matthew 19:20 (ESV)
Now Jesus showed him the way to become perfect.
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21)
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12 (ESV)
What did the young ruler ask Jesus in the first place? “What do I still LACK?” He was asking a question on what he lacked and Jesus tells him to lose some more!!
We are called to HOLD onto eternal life and to LOSE that which is temporal! But many a times we do otherwise!!
Maude Royden said "Learn to hold loosely all that is not eternal."
If I would hold loosely onto anything I will not worry losing it or giving it away. What is it that which I am finding it very difficult to give or lose?
“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28 (ESV) “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 (ESV)
God wants us to flourish. For what? So that we may use all the flourish-ment to win souls!
Like the young ruler we all start well – yearning to be good. But Jesus wants to show us the way to becoming perfect. And that is to be willing to lose all that we posses!
Peter who was one among those who were on the way to become perfect – having given up what was theirs, asks Jesus, “…we have LEFT all and followed You. Therefore what shall we HAVE?” (Matthew 19:27)
And Jesus answers, “And everyone who has LEFT houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 (ESV)
Mark writing on the same incident writes,
“Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has LEFT house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30 (ESV)
This promise is not for those who HAVE or KEEP, but for those who LEAVE. For what purpose? For Christ’s sake and for the gospel. This leaving is coupled with the promise to receive hundredfold, WITH PERSECUTIONS!
Why the first will be last? Because they are satisfied in being good Christians (obeying the commandments) but do not want to become perfect!
What is the way to perfection? It is to leave all that one possesses for Christ’s sake and the gospel. It is a call to lose everything so that Christ may have all the eminence and that the gospel may be preached!
If I am a Christian I need to leave all for Christ and to use everything for the proclamation of the gospel.
This verse is so well written in The Message translation: “Jesus replied, "Yes, you have followed me. In the re-creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first." (Matthew 19:28-30)
We understand that the promise of the hundredfold is also only in the Regeneration!
Here, we revere those with great positions and think great of those who accumulate great wealth. But great will be those who own nothing and those who would have left all for His kingdom! And those who shunned stardom and avoided applauses.
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