Equality in Heaven
"So the last shall be first, and the first last." (Matthew 20:16 NASB)
Until today, I had never really made the connection here. I had always taken (perhaps incorrectly) that the last shall be first and the first last was all about hubris, pride and arrogance. I had always thought it meant that those people who puffed themselves up would be brought down, and those who humbled themselves would be elevated. Most likely that thought stemmed from Luke:
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11 NASB)
But it strikes me now that that's not what these men were so upset about. See here:
"saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day." (Matthew 20:16 NASB)
So ultimately, the problem was the landowner made the last EQUAL to the first... and this is a parable about the "Kingdom of Heaven." Thus it strikes me that all of us striving to love and follow Christ, whether we have done so from our youth, or have just made the decision today, are equal shareholders in the God's kingdom.
Lord, help me to measure myself not against others, but against you. In that light help me see that you made a promise to me which I accepted; a promise which you will deliver upon; a promise of heaven. I was lost and you came to find me. I was alone and you came alongside me. Let me not consider myself better than anyone, for even though I follow you, I am still imperfect and sinful. Let me rejoice with others who come to know you, to work beside me in your fields instead of comparing their reward to mine. For in the end, your reward to me, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, is the ultimate gift anyone could ask for. Let me see all people who follow you as my equals in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
Created 4 months ago
