The First And The Last (Matthew 19:30)

 


Thursday, 30 October, 2025


Psalms 148; 149

2 Kings 10:18-36

Matthew 19:16-30


The First And The Last (Matthew 19:30)


Jesus said, ‘But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’


Jesus lays out some pretty extreme expectations. Today is probably one of the more extreme of the extremes. There is no wiggle-room for our own interests here.


The first will be last, and the last will be first. This is delayed gratification on a cosmic scale. Elsewhere, Jesus talks about those who wear fine clothes and receive accolades from others, and remarks that they already have their reward. Meanwhile, poor old St Peter points out that he has given up everything in order to follow Jesus. Will they get anything for their efforts?


Yes, in fact – and more than they could possibly imagine. Those who have followed him will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel – this is a pretty big deal. It sounds a lot better than a new suit and some petty compliments.


Whatever this talk of thrones and judgement means for us (and Jesus talks further on about receiving over a hundredfold, and everlasting life, which is even more cryptic), it is far better than anything we can get here in this world. And so in order to be first in line for whatever these wonders are, we need to drop ourselves back to last place in this life – last in line for cake, last in line for preferment, last in line for whatever petty trinkets this world has to offer. Because following Jesus is so much more worth it – if we can press on, finish well, and win the crown of glory.


What of this world are you pressing on to be first for? How does that conflict with pressing on to be first for what Jesus offers you?


Lord of glory, whose promises spill out from eternity even into this world: give us the humility of spirit to follow your example as a servant of all, that we may last, and therefore first in your eyes.

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