‘I want to give this last man the same as I gave you’

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6,33 (NKJV)

Having chosen to follow Jesus, the sacrifice of dying to self is not in vain.

This is what Peter asked Jesus: “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19,27 NKJV)

“Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19,28-30 NIV)

Although Jesus was talking of twelve thrones and the Twelve (apostles) judging the twelve tribes of Israel, I believe there is something for us here to take. Jesus mentions the renewal of things and speaks of authority (sitting on thrones). I believe even here on earth we are to experience this: the renewal of things and reigning in life. We are to truly function as the priests and kings that Jesus has made us to be. Eternal life will not begin when we live this earth. Eternal life began the day we received the Lordship of Jesus and became born again.

Furthermore, Jesus continues this conversation with His disciples in Matthew 20,1-16 and give a story explaining what he meant by “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first”

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (NIV)

God has never denied good things to His children. He never withholds something good from us. He is a loving God and Father. If we ever find ourselves in a position of waiting on Him, it’s only because He is working a far more and exceeding weight of glory for us. The glory of God should shine on us. At the end of the day, it will never look like we “missed out”. In fact, it will look like we got a better deal because “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1,17)

Yes the last will be first. It will look like the last is preferred. That’s what the favor of God does, that’s what the grace of God is.

Child of God, receive this as your portion. God longs to do you good, beyond what you “deserve”.

In His eyes, you deserve it because you are His child. Christ died and rose again for a reason.

“‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20, 12-16 (NKJV)

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