The first should be the last!
When we read the Bible, we struggle to understand everything Jesus said. One statement that appears repeatedly in the Gospel of Matthew is: “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (Mt 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 said to his listeners: “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the Prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown out! They will come from east and west, north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Lk 13, 28-30).
Mary, the mother of Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said to her cousin Elizabeth: “He has shown his power with a mighty arm; he has scattered to the winds those whose minds are proud and haughty. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.” (Lk 1,51-52)Perhaps this is a clue that pride is on the list of sins and an abomination to God. (Spr 6,16-19).
In the first century of the Church, the Apostle Paul confirmed this reversed order. In social, political, and religious terms, Paul belonged to the "first." He was a Roman citizen with the privilege of an impressive pedigree. "I was circumcised on the eighth day, a man of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee according to the law." (Phil 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. Kor 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 Matthew chapter 23 is addressed to them. They loved the best seats in the synagogue, they rejoiced in being greeted in the marketplaces, men called them Rabbi. They did everything for public approval. Soon, a significant change was to occur. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing! Your house will be left to you desolate.” (Mt 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 who were listening accused Jesus of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus makes an interesting statement: “Whoever speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Mt 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 at night, wanting to understand more, but he was afraid of the Sanhedrin, the High Council. (Joh 3,1)Later, he accompanied Joseph of Arimithea when he laid Jesus' body in the tomb. Gamaliel warned the Pharisees against opposing the preaching of the apostles. (Apg 5,34).
Excluded from the kingdom?
In Offenbarung 20,11 We read of a judgment before a Great White Throne, where Jesus judges the "remnant of the dead." Could it be that these prominent teachers of Israel, the "first" of their society at that time, are finally able to see Jesus, whom they crucified, for who he truly was? This is a far better "sign"!
At the same time, they themselves are excluded from the kingdom. They see those people from the East and the West whom they once looked down upon. People who never had the advantage of knowing the Scriptures now sit at the great feast in the kingdom of God. (Lk 13,29)What could be more humiliating?
There is the famous "Field of Bones" in Hesekiel 37God 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 the entire house of Israel (including the Pharisees).
They say: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look, now they say: Our bones are withered, and our hope is lost, and we are finished.” (Hes 37,11)But God says, “See, I will open your graves and bring you up from your graves, my people, and bring you into the land of Israel. And you will 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, so that you may live again, and I will settle you in your land, and you will know that I am the Lord.” (Hes 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
