First and last
Meet Berry cat, an outdoor kitty on our farm. She has a lot of good qualities. Our furry friend welcomes me to the barn each morning. She hunts mice and leaves the trophies so we will recognize her contribution. Berry purrs in appreciation to an ear, chin, or tummy scratching. She and our dog are good friends.
But Berry has one bad habit. She likes to be first.
What? You may be thinking–what is so bad about that? Well, if you know much about cats, you’ll recall that they like to have their own way. Often, the cat is in charge of the relationship between human and kitty. Berry isn’t so terribly self-centered except when we’re walking somewhere. If she decides to go with me to feed the horses, she runs to get ahead (to be first) and then pokes along right in front of me at a snail’s pace. If I’m ready to feed her, she leaps into my pathway and blocks my steps as she loudly complains about my slowness in feeding her (even though she’s the one causing the delay).
Of course, a hungry kitty doesn’t know any better than to demand to be first, but what about us? Does Jesus have concerns about our behavior when we have the need to be recognized or considered important?
Jesus used numerous examples to address this issue with His disciples. In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus describes a landowner who hired laborers for a day’s work and agreed to pay them each a denarius. Throughout the day, the landowner employed more people, some only working an hour. Yet, when the foreman began to pay the laborers at the end of the day, the ones working a short time were paid the same amount as the ones who had put in a full day of work.
Oh, my! Those who had worked all day and received the same wage as workers that only put in an hour or two of labor were irate:
‘Those who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'”
Matthew 20:12
Jesus attempted to help the disciples understand that wounded pride was not an excuse for anger or jealousy. In His story, the response of the landowner and our Lord’s final statement make clear His view of pride:
But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius. Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (emphasis mine)
Matthew 20:13-16
This was not the first time Jesus had tried to teach His disciples not to think too highly of themselves. The disciples had rebuked parents for bringing their children to Jesus, but Jesus told them:
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14
A young man of great wealth had come to Jesus and asked what he should do to have eternal life. Upon questioning, the man confirmed that he had kept the Lord’s commandments–he was a good man. But he was not yet ready to follow the final directive Jesus gave him:
If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Matthew 19:21
The young man had great wealth, but he wasn’t willing to fully commit to Jesus. The disciples were amazed at what Jesus had asked the man to do–give up everything?
“Who can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus answered:
Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (emphasis mine)
Matthew 19:28-30
I wonder if Jesus gets discouraged about our prideful attitudes, our need to be recognized, our need to be first.
He certainly must have been saddened by two of His disciple’s need to be designated as better than the other ten. The mother of James and John requested that they be granted the honor and recognition of being seated at the right and left hand of Jesus in the kingdom of God. Our Lord reminded them that only God the Father would make that determination. And he again spoke of their obligation as His followers.
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28
This pandemic has certainly provided many examples of service to others. Medical personnel, truck drivers, operators of essential businesses, and volunteers have placed the needs of others above their own.
The last will be first.
I think Jesus is smiling on those servants.
If you’ve witnessed selfless acts of service and kindness during the Covid-19 crisis, please share with us in the comments below.
Your kitty served as a perfect introduction to our humanness, Katherine—to be first and to be recognized. The Scripture you included reminds us how God views our actions. Recently, a local store owner called to check on elderly customers and offered help as needed.
Hurrah for that store owner! I continue to be impressed by the kindness that people are showing to one another. Of course, there are still some grouches and whiners, but so many acts of compassion. God is good and He is with us through this!
Such a good word, Katherine. As humans we do struggle with being first. It starts young. Sharing a toy. Being in the school lunch line. It’s one of those things that Jesus chisels off of us as we walk with Him. Thanks for the reminder that I need to be aware of my selfish need to be first. It is always hovering at the surface waiting to lash out. Knowing that Jesus notices me wherever I am in line is a comfort.
When you use the term “chisel,” I cringe. Yet, that is what He does and what is revealed (like the sculptor and his creation) is a thing of beauty. Like when the Lord prunes us, the yield of our harvest (service) is multiplied, and we no longer have that craving to be first.
I love how you use the story of your kitty to illustrate the lesson of how we like to be first. Then you tie it into several scripture verses on the same topic. Jesus used stories to teach God’s principles and it’s a great example for us as writers.
I agree, Sandra. Jesus told so many stories to help us better understand His teachings. That is a great example for us–how can we use events in our lives, share those stories, to be a witness for Jesus? Thank you for your encouragement.
Wonderful post Ms. Katherine. I’ve always viewed this parable as confusing, and still do in some ways. I understand it as all who are saved (be that for 20 years or 20 seconds) will be rewarded with eternal life. How their works for the kingdom will be determined at the Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bema Seat) is for Christ to decide, not us. The crowns we receive may not be the crowns we keep, as some will be destroyed by His refining fire. As to how we are further rewarded for our works in this life, I refer to the parable of the Talents. While I may not fully know today, I am at ease; knowing that one day all will be revealed. 🙂 God’s blessings ma’am.
Thank you for sharing your insight on the meaning of the parable. I agree, although as you can tell by my blog, I also believe that Jesus often had more than one point to make (multiple lessons sometimes) when He shared a story with His listeners. I’m always so grateful when you share your wisdom, my friend.
Always enjoy reading about your furry friends. First graders are the same way. I always had to assign a daily leader to keep them from running or jostling to be first. It must be an innate quality.
I grew up hearing the following quoted by my mom: “The first shall go last, and the last first.” I think she flipped it to curb my eagerness to be first. We can find great joy here on earth by serving others, this putting ourselves last.
I think we are all born egocentric–the center of our universe and thus the need to be first. But, thankfully, with God’s help, loving parents, and awesome teachers, we learn (or at least try our best) to put the needs of others first. So grateful that God keeps working on us, because it is such a challenge to be consistent (There’s lots of times I still want to be first!)
I loved the thoughts. I’m a cat lover and you had me hooked with the picture. I love the saying, dogs have masters, but cats have servants. I needed the lesson on wounded pride. Too often I think too highly of myself. I confess and with God’s help am working on it. Thanks
Love the cat saying–it is so true! Thanks for your encouragement, Jimmie. I have that issue with pride myself. Like you, I’m thankful that God keeps working on me like the potter shapes the clay (because my pot is certainly marred and I need God’s Hand to re-shape me).