Who’s [on] First?

I love the Abbott and Costello skit where the comedy pair go back and forth about the names of baseball players on a team.  The skit starts and ends with “Who’s on first!”

The skit is very funny, and it’s what initially comes to mind when I think of Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 19 and 20…

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.  Matthew 19:30

So the last will be first, and the first will be last.  Matthew 20:16

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.  Matthew 20:26-27

Clearly, Jesus is calling His followers to serve others.  Three times in a short period, Jesus tells His followers to pursue being last.  This is so contrary to our society where everyone is driven to outdo and out-position each other.  Jesus tells us to serve others and we will naturally (or supernaturally) gain the first position.

I’m an extremely competitive person, I strive to win.  I strive to be number one.  I strive to be first.  Reading these words in Matthew a few days ago provided a great reminder for me personally.  I’m sure I’ve written about it in the past, but it’s so easy to put myself first.  When people ask the question, “Who’s first?”  I admittedly want the answer to be Jon Stolpe.

Selfish.  Prideful.  Short-sighted.

Interestingly, the things we (I) strive for first place in are often shallow.  They are things that fade away – things that don’t last.  Jesus’ words point towards things that matter – things that are eternal – things that don’t make sense to the “Me First” generation.  Great reminders for me today.

Getting back to Abbott and Costello, who’s [on] first in your life today?