The Great Reversal
This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.Matthew 19:30 (MSG)
Do you remember lining up for lunch, recess, or any other event in elementary school? The most precious and revered spot in the line was the front of the line -- being first in line. In fact, we would often "cut" in line in front of others which led to a near rebellion with your fellow classmates shouting, "Teacher, he cutted." The fact is nobody wanted to be last.
When you choose to follow Christ, you are also willing choosing to step to the back of the line -- to allow others before you. This is a hard truth to swallow because our human nature screams out against it and instead says, "Put yourself first. Live life for yourself."
When Jesus came to earth, he declared his mission. In fact, you find it in the next chapter -- Matthew 20:28. "This is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served--and then to give away his life..."
Those who follow Christ are called to become like Him. If you are to be like Christ, you are going to serve...to give your life. This is part one of the Great Reversal. We are to live our lives contrary to the world's system. The world says, "Live for yourself and make others serve you and your needs, wants, desires." As Christ followers, we reverse this philosophy...spin it upside down and live the opposite.
But there is also a part two of the Great Reversal. It takes place when we see Christ face-to-face. In the literal Kingdom of Heaven, those who have made themselves last...the least of all...will be first. Christ will honor those who chose to not honor themselves in the way they lived their lives on earth.
Where are you at in the "line of life" here on earth? Do you keep cutting in front or putting yourself first in line? The Great Reversal beckons us to choose to put others first and place yourself in the back of the line. By the way, guess who else was at the back of the line? Jesus -- our Lord, our Savior, our Example.
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