Israel, a.k.a Jacob, earlier usurped his brother Esau’s birthright and blessing, putting himself, the second born, over Esau, the first born. And here we go again, as, after having adopted both of Joseph’s sons as his own sons, Israel blesses and promotes the second-born Ephriam over his first-born brother, Manasseh. Ephriam’s line would go on to provide the ruling class of what would be the Northern Kingdom, before mostly disappearing in the exile, becoming one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel. Remnants of both boys’ lines would become the Samaritans or be assimilated into the people of the Southern kingdom.
But why does the younger supersede the older, or is it better to say, the last take primacy over the first?
“And the last shall be first…” is mentioned multiple times by Christ and the apostles. We see it in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Again, in the parable of the Good Samaritan where an outcast is elevated to the paragon of selfless compassion. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, it is the sheep who ministered to the “least of these” who gain favor and blessing. The Beatitudes list multiple “lasts” who will be elevated to “firsts.”
And the primary example of first/last versus last/first is Christ himself. First, as touching his Godhood. Last, as touching his manhood. Lord of heaven, humble servant on earth. He humbled himself to live an itinerant life as he hobnobbed with the riffraff of his time. On Maundy Thursday, the master teacher became the humble servant washing his students’ feet. And on Good Friday, he fully humbled himself, became equal to the criminals—the very bottom of the societal barrel—in the ultimate expression of love as he gave his life up for us that we might have eternal life through his death and resurrection.
In both Luke 9:23 and Matthew 16:24-26, Christ says: “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Deny all in you that would seek to be first, and instead humble yourself to follow him and carry out his commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
We are daily called to be lovingly “last,” humbling ourselves to love and serve those around us even as Christ humbled himself for us.
After 43 years of teaching that included grades 4 and 9-12, and college, as well as directing many theatre productions, the author, Douglas Fox, is now retired and filling his days with assisting in multiple ways in his congregation, St. Mark’s, Lumberton.
To Consider
What make is so hard to avoid the desire to be “first” and instead see “last” as a blessing and opportunity to witness of Christ?
What concrete actions can you do to embody the servanthood of Christ as you live in your community?
Prayer
Lord who humbled himself that I might be saved, help me to be less focused on being “first” but to gladly “take up my cross” and follow you in loving service to others that puts their needs first so that in loving them, I may witness and draw them to you.