Those who will be First and Last

Oops! What a direct and straight forward question by Peter. Peter has done this often in the past; he lets Jesus know exactly what he is feeling. He finds it so easy to blurt out what we often feel ashamed to say, or even to think. Look, we have left everything and followed you. Do you appreciate that? What shall we get in return? Jesus understood what Peter was saying and assured him that nobody can ever outdo God in generosity. We will receive a hundredfold, even in this life. If we take time and look back, we will sure see how true this has been in our own life.

Let us also be honest when talking with the Lord, as Peter did. If we sometimes feel like Peter, and say: ‘Look at all I do and all I suffer!’ Let us then listen to Jesus thanking us and promising us a great reward, even if it is postponed and we don’t see it in our lifetime here on earth.

Even though there is a reward, Jesus also cautions that those who follow him will also face persecutions. And many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Jesus is not making empty promises, following him means following him on the way of the cross and of humiliation too. If we are in for this then let us pray to be a true follower of Jesus by leaving our comfort zone to bring his love to others, living by his words and making him know to others.