Last, First, Poorest, Wealthiest
As Jesus and the apostles gathered to share the Passover meal on the night before the crucifixion, He told them:
I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer . . .
Luke 22:15
Jesus knew what was going to happen the next day. The contrast between the character of the Son of God and the character of the apostles was vivid that night. During the evening, He washed their feet, but:
. . . there arose also a dispute among them
as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.
Luke 22:24
While the Son of God served, the apostles competed. Here is the definition of compete:
To work to win something by defeating or exercising superiority over other people who are also trying to defeat or exercise superiority
I don’t know who finished last in my high school class, but the valedictorian got a special photo in my annual. I’ve never seen a list of the poorest individuals in the world, but it’s easy to find a list of the world’s wealthiest.
Jesus died for the last and the first, the poorest and the wealthiest.
I want my children and their children to rest in the sweet love of Jesus, knowing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by their Creator. I want them to grow in Christ. I want them to use their talents. I want them to serve.
I do not want them to compare themselves with others, but to compare themselves with what God teaches them in His Word.
Jesus’ beloved apostles wasted precious time on the last night they had with Him before the crucifixion. When they argued about status instead of soaking in those precious moments, Jesus taught them that:
. . . the greatest among you must become like the youngest,
and the leader like the servant.
Luke 22:26