Last Will Be First

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’ Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ Mark 10:17-31

It is discouraging to small children and adults alike when they are placed in the back of the line. The voice and concerns of the people in the back are rarely heard in our world. The wealthy, the influential,

the powerful, despite their behavior, get all the attention and time. The folks we never see or hear from are overlooked and ignored. Yet, particularly when we feel overlooked and ignored, we can remember who God is paying attention to - the folks in the back, the unseen and unknown. The Creator's true glory is showered on those who have been abused and displaced. The world's love and fame are but smoke and mirrors, magic tricks that quickly fade away. So today, if you find yourself in dark places, remember, God is there with you, at the back of the line.

Wondrous Creator, you spin the world round

and paint the colors of the rainbow across the sky

you delight us with the shooting stars at night

and surround us with birdsong in the morning.

People are often violent, greedy and demanding 

rarely quieting to seek your voice in our day

we would rather be dazzled by technology

than spend time beside your healing streams.

Renew our hearts, dear Lord, for service

help us to rejoice in the simple gifts given

help us know you are among the last of us

and daily shower your love on our dark places. Amen.