The first should be the last!

439 the first should be the lastWhen we read the Bible, we struggle to understand everything Jesus said. A statement that comes up again and again can be read in the Gospel of Matthew: "But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first" (Matthew 19,30).

It seems that Jesus repeatedly tries to disrupt the order of society, to abolish the status quo and makes controversial statements. First-century Jews in Palestine were very familiar with the Bible. The would-be students came back confused and upset from their encounters with Jesus. Somehow the words of Jesus did not fit together for them. The rabbis of that time were highly respected for their wealth, which was considered a blessing from God. These were among the "first" on the social and religious ladder.

On another occasion, Jesus told his hearers: “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves cast out! And they will come from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and will sit down at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, there are last which shall be first; and those who are first shall be last” (Luke 13:28-30 Butcher Bible).

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Mary, Jesus’ mother, said to her cousin Elizabeth: “With a mighty arm he showed his might; he has scattered to the four winds those whose spirit is proud and haughty. He dethroned the mighty and exalted the humble" (Luke 1,51-52 New Geneva translation). Perhaps there is a clue here that pride is on the list of sins and God is an abomination (Proverbs 6,16-19).

In the first century of the Church, the apostle Paul confirms this reverse order. Socially, politically, and religiously, Paul was among the "first." He was a Roman citizen with the privilege of an impressive lineage. "I was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee according to the law" (Philippians 3,5).

Paul was called into the ministry of Christ at a time when the other apostles were already experienced ministers. He writes to the Corinthians, quoting the prophet Isaiah: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will cast away the understanding of the understanding... But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise ; and what is weak in the world God chose to shame what is strong (1. Corinthians 1,19 and 27).

Paul tells the same people the resurrected Christ appeared to him "as an untimely birth" at last, after appearing to Peter, 500 brethren on another occasion, then to James and all the apostles. Another hint? The weak and foolish will shame the wise and strong?

God often intervened directly in the course of Israel's history and reversed the expected order. Esau was the firstborn, but Jacob inherited the birthright. Ishmael was Abraham's firstborn son, but the birthright was given to Isaac. When Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, he laid his hands on the younger son Ephraim and not on Manasseh. Israel's first king Saul thereby failed to obey God as he ruled the people. God chose David, one of the sons of Jesse. David was out tending the sheep in the fields and had to be summoned to take part in his anointing. As the youngest, he was not considered a worthy candidate for this position. Again, a "man after God's own heart" was chosen above all other more important brethren.

Jesus had much to say about the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. Almost the entirety of chapter 23 of Matthew is dedicated to them. They loved the best seats in the synagogue, they were happy to be greeted in the market squares, the men called them rabbi. They did everything for public approval. A significant change was soon to come. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often have I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings; and you didn't want to! Your house shall be left desolate to you” (Matthew 23,37-38).

What does it mean, “He has dethroned the mighty and lifted up the humble?” Whatever blessings and gifts we have received from God, there is no reason to boast about ourselves! Pride marked the beginning of Satan's downfall and is fatal to us humans. Once he gets a hold of us, it changes our entire perspective and attitude.

The Pharisees listening to him accused Jesus of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus makes an interesting statement: “And whoever speaks anything against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven; But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come” (Matthew 12,32).

This looks like a final judgment against the Pharisees. They were witnesses to so many wonders. They turned away from Jesus, though he was true and wondrous. As a last resort, they asked him for a sign. Was that the sin against the Holy Spirit? Is forgiveness still possible for her? Despite her pride and hardheartedness, she loves Jesus and wants her to repent.

As always, there were exceptions. Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night, wanted to understand more, but was afraid of the Sanhedrin, the Sanhedrin (John 3,1). He later accompanied Joseph of Arimithea as he laid the body of Jesus in the tomb. Gamaliel warned the Pharisees not to oppose the apostles' preaching (Acts 5,34).

Excluded from the kingdom?

In Revelation 20,11 we read of a Great White Throne Judgment, with Jesus judging the "remnant of the dead." Could it be that these prominent teachers of Israel, the "firsts" of their society at the time, can finally see Jesus whom they crucified for who he really was? This is a far better "sign"!

At the same time, they are excluded from the kingdom themselves. You see the people from the east and the west whom they looked down upon. People who never had the advantage of knowing the scriptures are now sitting at table on the great feast in the kingdom of God (Luke 13,29). What could be more humiliating?

There is the famous "Field of Bones" in Ezekiel 37. God gives the prophet a terrifying vision. The dry bones gather with a “rattling sound” and become people. God tells the prophet that these bones are all the house of Israel (including the Pharisees).

They say, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, now they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost, and our end is at an end" (Ezekiel 37,11). But God says, “Behold, I will open your graves and bring you up from your graves, my people, and bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord when I open your graves and bring you up from your graves, my people. And I will put my breath in you, that ye shall live again, and I will set you in your land, and ye shall know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 37,12-14).

Why does God place many who are first among the last, and why do the last become the first? We know that God loves everyone - the first, the last and all that are in between. He wants a relationship with all of us. The invaluable gift of repentance can only be given to those who humbly accept God's wonderful grace and perfect will.

by Hilary Jacobs


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