Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
It may seem like a stretch to tie this verse in with our topic of transformation but keep reading. There may just be some new insight you glean from today’s reading.
Looking at the context of the verse, Jesus concluded His parable on the workers in the vineyard with this statement. The workers had grumbled about receiving the same wages as the latecomers though they worked a full day compared to the latecomers working only an hour. And Jesus explained that the vineyard owner had the right to give whatever he felt justified in giving and they had all agreed to work for the wage they had received.
While it is hard for us to understand the fairness of this parable, the fact remains that God is sovereign and He gives of the goodness of His heart. He gives to all, wanting none to perish, wanting all to come to know Him personally and have a relationship with Him. But we are conditioned by our society to see things as transactional – we receive compensation or reward for something we do. That is why we struggle to understand and accept the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
Jesus taught His disciples this lesson to help them to understand that everyone is valued by God for who they are and not what they have done. Our minds don’t want to accept this, being conditioned by society to believe as we do, which is why we need a total transformation of our thinking. This verse represents a total switch up of human value, our ego, our expectations, and what we consider to be worthwhile.
Transforming our mindset begins when we stop viewing God’s grace as transactional. His grace is not a reward for how hard we have worked. His grace is given freely, because He is good and He wants what is best for His children. What we have done, what we might do, all of the good work and fruitful service to Him matters not when it comes to His grace and mercy.
We need to stop trying to keep score. We need to cease with comparing ourselves to others. Everyone is valued by God for who they are, not what they have done, social status, or some role they play. Seniority doesn’t matter in God’s eyes.
Instead, we need to praise Him for the grace we have received, thanking Him for giving it so generously and freely because we did nothing to deserve or earn it. We need to shift from a mindset of competing to one that joyfully celebrates the blessings others are receiving.
Once we get to that point, we will see that true greatness is found in a humble spirit and joyful service where we put others first rather than trying to be the first, the best, the top. We stop pushing others down as we scramble upwards and begin lifting them up instead. We don’t mind being last because we know that God values us the same as those who are first.
Today let’s surrender our own self-importance and our desire to be first. Focus on others and lift them up before you begin your climb. Let Him reshape you. Let your mindset be transformed. And know this, last is a beautiful place to be when you are blessed with God’s grace.
Prayer: Lord, Transform my mind. Let me be reshaped, remoulded, made new. Help me to see others through Your eyes and value them the same way You do. Let me see that being last is as important as being first. Amen
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