Week 29 Day 5 – First or last?

In the kingdom of God, things are not always what they seem. Jesus ends this teaching with a striking reversal that flips the world’s value system upside down. Those who appear to be first—secure, successful, and celebrated—may in fact find themselves last when the true reckoning comes. Conversely, those who appear last—excluded, poor, obscure, or suffering—may be first in God’s eyes. This is especially poignant given what Jesus has just said: to follow Him means giving up family, possessions, land, and comfort. It means being willing to become marginalised for His sake. And this marginalisation is not a sign of failure, but a mark of faithfulness.

Many churches today operate on the fringes of society, often overlooked or dismissed. Some believers live under constant threat, experiencing persecution or social exclusion for their obedience to Christ. They are not the ones gracing headlines, commanding cultural power, or building earthly empires. Yet Jesus sees them. He names them “first.” Their hidden faithfulness, costly obedience, and quiet endurance reflect the very heart of the gospel. Meanwhile, those who appear powerful because they compromise with the world may have their reward now, but not in the kingdom to come. The Church is God’s family, and it often looks weak. But one day, what is hidden will be revealed, and those who were last will stand in the place of honour.