The Last will be First

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.'" Matthew 20:26 NKJV

In an article titled, "Nashville runner registers last, places first" published by the Texarcana Gazette Saturday, the following was reported: Westin Kroph was one of the last to register Saturday morning, but the 29-year-old from Nashville, Ark., was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 1:30.59 in the seventh annual Run The Rails half-marathon (13.1 miles). It was his first attempt at a half-marathon. "I started running about six years ago doing obstacle course races," said Kroph. "I have two brothers, a sister, and a cousin also running today." It was his 17-year-old brother, Reagan Kroph, who finished second with a time of 1:49.29, just 29 seconds ahead of third-place finisher, 50-year-old Michael Puyear. "This was my second half-marathon, and it was a lot better than my first 2:06," said Reagan. Westin certainly clocked an amazing time for a half marathon, especially for a first one and most likely surprised many of the other runners and spectators. 

And you know, when it comes to the last being first, Jesus told the disciples that the last would be first and the first would be last. And while that seems to make no sense, Jesus was explaining that God, in His infinite grace, rewards and blesses man contrary to the way the world does. You see, in the system of law, a person gets what he or she deserves. But in God's system of grace, God rewards on the principle of His unmerited favor which is not dependent on our works; and we should therefore expect surprises. You can be sure that He will never be less than fair, though, but reserves the right to be more than fair as pleases Him. In other words, God’s grace always operates righteously no matter how it might appear to our worldly eyes.

So rejoice when the favor of God benefits you my friend. But rejoice equally when it benefits a brother or sister more knowing that God's will is always best and that we will all receive eternal salvation in the end. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for granting us the grace that we don't deserve. Lord remind us that we are sinners deserving of death and have no right to question how, why, or to whom you grant grace. Help us to be grateful for not getting what we deserve so that we would be content with what we have. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!