Calendar

LET THE FIRST BE LAST
LORD’S DAY EVENING, JUNE 29
Mark 9:33-50

John 13:12-17

 

“…If any man desire to be first,

the same shall be last of all…”

 

LET THE FIRST BE LAST
 
Jesus had been paying quite a bit of attention to Peter. Peter had shown himself to be the outspoken and leading disciple. He was the one who identified Jesus as the Christ. It was to him that the Lord entrusted the keys of the kingdom. He was one of the three privileged to see the transfiguration. He was the one whom Jesus sent to fish for a coin. Jesus had called on Peter again and again. The other disciples had been noticing this. It is thus no wonder that they began to ask whether the Lord had Peter earmarked for leadership. They even had a debate over who would be the best candidate for the job of top apostle.
 
Jesus took this opportunity to teach His disciples what true greatness is. He who wants to be first must be last. A leader must be a servant. Having not been able to come to a consensus on who amongst them was number one, they wanted Jesus’ view, and so they asked, “Who is the greatest?” Thinking that He would pick one from among them, Jesus took a little child instead, and set him in their midst, and said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. …for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great” (Matt 18:3‑4, Luke 9:48). Unless they had childlike faith, humbly trusting in Christ without scepticism, were totally dependent on Him as a little child is on his parents, have a child’s innocence which is void of selfish ambition, they could be great.
 
Jesus is indeed the supreme example of humility in His life on earth. He did not see it beneath Him to associate with little children. He did not look down on them. He considered them to be very important people. This attitude of Jesus is certainly a demonstration of His active obedience. He fulfilled the law by loving His neighbour, and His neighbour includes not just adults, but also children. “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
 
THOUGHT: A leader must first be a servant.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be like Jesus: not to be served but to serve.

Search