Devotion 

The Last Will be First, and the First Will be Last

Frances Taylor 

Jesus is speaking to his disciples who have given up a lot to follow him. Peter and Andrew, James and John have left both their families and their work as fishermen, Matthew was a tax collector. All have given up their homes, jobs and families to follow Jesus. This message of Jesus must have been a consolation to them. It should be a consolation to us as well. Although many of us have not had to give up that much in order to be Christians, some have.

I know a nurse who had to make a choice to keep her job at a clinic that began doing abortions which was against her conscience. Another woman became a whistleblower when she discovered illegal actions at her place of work. At other times, we may have to give up friendships because they are toxic. The last phrase is interesting to us, but for Jesus it referred to the Jewish people who were called first to know the only true God and the promise of a Messiah, and yet so many didn't recognize Jesus and denounced him and then the Gentiles who were called last and responded with faith.

We might not think this refers to our time as well, but many come to faith in their youth and then fall away, and others later in life. I had the privilege of being present at the baptism of an eighty-year old man who had come to believe in Jesus and wanted to become a Christian. May each of us who have paid a price for our faith stay the course and receive our promised reward.

Prayer 

Lord, you have given us so much and you continue to remind us that our faith is not in vain. We thank you for all you have done and continue to do. Help us to stay faithful to you. Amen.