But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Jesus spoke this sentence in connection with the rich young ruler and with the disciples' question about their own reward. It belongs to His teaching about sacrifice for Christ and for the gospel, including giving up homes, family, or lands. That encounter opened the way to set forth the right principles of God's free grace. It corrected a grasping, mercenary view of reward. Honor and reward in God's kingdom do not follow human expectation and rank.
Human standing and possessions do not determine who is first. Many who are first, or who appear to be first, will be last, and the last will be first. Those who give up homes, family, or lands for Christ and the gospel receive rich blessings even in this life. With those blessings come persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. Those who live to make themselves first will in the end be last. Self-importance and pride block spiritual growth, especially when people cannot see their own faults or believe their own ways are perfect.
Jesus spoke this sentence in connection with the rich young ruler and with the disciples' question about their own reward. It belongs to His teaching about sacrifice for Christ and for the gospel, including giving up homes, family, or lands. That encounter opened the way to set forth the right principles of God's free grace. It corrected a grasping, mercenary view of reward. Honor and reward in God's kingdom do not follow human expectation and rank.
Human standing and possessions do not determine who is first. Many who are first, or who appear to be first, will be last, and the last will be first. Those who give up homes, family, or lands for Christ and the gospel receive rich blessings even in this life. With those blessings come persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. Those who live to make themselves first will in the end be last. Self-importance and pride block spiritual growth, especially when people cannot see their own faults or believe their own ways are perfect.