Subject First, Last (Matt 19:27-30)
Contents
Subject: Whoever comes first is last (Matthew 19:27-30)
(Introduction)
We like the word 'first' because it has the meaning of being ahead of others and having ability.
However, the biblical principle does not necessarily mean that the first comes first. There are many cases where he came first but became last, and he who came last came first.
The Israelites prided themselves on being the only nation chosen by God and considered them to be the first, but they were the last.
Then why did this happen? It was because of pride. Pride caught the Israelites' ankles. Pride made them stop. That's right. The proud can never be first. You run towards your goal, but you end up being the last.
So, let's take a look at 'first, last'.
(一) Those who cling to merit will surely come last.
What did Peter say to Jesus when he saw the rich young man who came to Jesus? Verse 27 says, "We have left everything and followed you; then what shall we gain?" When the rich young man heard the words of Jesus, “Sell all you have and give it to the poor,” he was conflicted and left.
What might have been in Peter's mind then? 'I am different from that young man. The young man returned from a conflict over the material he possessed, but I am not. I gave up my job and material for the Lord. Then, what is the price and reward that will come back to me?'
Peter's consciousness of merit was stronger than his consciousness of the Lord's grace. Before asking for a reward, Peter had to think about who he was. Wasn't he a sailor who made a living fishing on the Sea of Galilee? Are you not the one who did not know Jesus, did not know the kingdom of heaven, and did not know the Word and eternal life?
But now, did you not know the kingdom of heaven, know God, know Jesus, have eternal life, and become a disciple among the 12 disciples who preach the gospel? But Peter said, "We have left everything and followed you; then what shall we gain?"
Saints! This is pride before God. Are there some of you who are secretly thinking of your own merits?
God always rewards our hard work. (Mark 10:30) But if we serve the Lord simply for reward, it is not true devotion and service. Such a person may be first, but will be last.
Therefore, I hope that you will erase the proud heart of valuing merit and expecting a reward, and restore God's redeeming love.
(二) Those who compare themselves to their neighbors and try to be exalted will be last.
During the reign of King Jungjong of King Yijo, scholar Kim Jeong-guk left a saying, "Buy a field with a thousand gold, and buy a neighbor with ten thousand gold. There is a thing called 'neighbors'. However, in the modern society where the appearance of neighbors is diversified and materialism prevails, it seems that neighbors are not cousins, but 100 villages.
Why have neighbors become so distant? One of the reasons is because of the “comparative consciousness”. Compare yourself to others. It counts how much and how little the material is. Compare who has a higher seat, who lives in a bigger house, who has a better car, and who wears better clothes.
This sense of comparison creates a sense of competition with each other, and eventually leads to slander and slander, envy and jealousy. As a result, the relationship between neighbors is broken and the community is destroyed.
The older brother of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is a representative figure. He possessed many things. However, I became unhappy because I had a sense of comparison.
He was furious when his lost brother repented and returned, put him in his father's arms, slaughtered a calf for him, and made a feast. "He answered and said to his father, "I have served my father for many years and have never disobeyed his orders, but never gave me a young goat so that me and my friend might enjoy it. When this son who ate his father's house with prostitutes came back, he was fattened for it. You have slaughtered a calf."
He compared him to his brother. He was clearly the older brother, and moreover, he was full of dissatisfaction with showing favor to his younger brother who returned from home after someone had done all the household chores.
The older brother compared to his younger brother in this way has no choice but to come first and then become the last. The younger brother is not the object of comparison with the older brother, nor is the object of competition. They are objects to be nurtured and established by the family business handed down by the father by accepting, loving, and working together, and they are neighbors and communities.
Saints! Neighbors are not comparables or competitors. They are people to love, tolerate and build upon each other.
God did not give us our neighbors to destroy each other by biting and slandering each other, but to building up each other and going toward Canaan together. Neighbors gave as a way to show their love for God.
Saints! Let go of the sense of comparison towards your neighbors and show God's love. Then you will be recognized as the first before God.
(3) Excessive pride comes later.
In order to live in the modern age, we must keep our pride and not lose our self-esteem. The modern era is the 'self-PR era'. It's time to make yourself known to others and show off your abilities.
C. Schwab exhorted, “Treat your body, what you do.” That's right. All of you are precious. Thanks to your dedication and service, our church is revitalizing and growing. However, excessive self-evaluation and excessive self-esteem can lead to self-destruction.
Theopuratus said pride is "absolute contempt for all men". In other words, pride is the excessive evaluation of oneself and the perception that everyone is inferior to oneself. So, assertiveness becomes stronger, you don't listen to others, and you don't see others.
As the chief disciple of Jesus, Peter devoted himself to the Lord and led the community of disciples. He must have given up everything and followed the Lord, preaching the gospel, caring for his neighbors, and carrying out the ministry given to him.
But one day, when a rich young man came to Jesus, he compared and evaluated himself. Then the Lord rebuked Peter, saying, "The first shall be last." Peter's excessive self-esteem made him a latecomer.
(conclusion)
Saints! Humble yourself before God. Keep in mind that "I cannot exist" without God's grace. After meeting Jesus, Paul did a more impressive ministry than anyone else, but he confessed, "I am not who I am, but God's grace.
Saints! How great are we when we are good? How wise are we if we are wise? How much do we know if we know the Bible? If I had dedicated myself, how much would I have dedicated myself?
Let's not be arrogant and brag that we all came first. When you stand before God, you will have to find yourself like "a sinner among sinners, and one who was born prematurely."
The Pharisee boasted of his righteousness to sinners and tax collectors, saying, "I am not like them." However, sinners and publicans confessed, "I cannot look up to heaven and I am a sinner."
Let's let go of our excessive pride. Let us humble ourselves before the Lord. Then the Lord will exalt you and reward you.