Matthew 20  At the end of chapter 19 Matthew records these words from Jesus, "But many who are first will be last; and the last, first."   Jesus then tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard.  In verse 16 He again says, "Thus the last shall be first and the first last."  

This statement is significant somehow.. a kingdom principle that we need to grasp.  We need to think about the parable a bit more..

".. the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner.. "  This statement gives us a clear understanding that Jesus is talking about the Truth of how God rules and acts in His Kingdom.

The landowner went out and "hired" workers early in the morning.  These workers "agreed" with him to work the day for a denarius.

He then went out  4 more times... at the 3rd hour, the 6th hour, and the 9th  hour, and finally at the 11th hour.  The difference with these workers was that the landowner did not make a definite agreement with them about their pay,  he just said, " .. whatever is right I will give you."  They went to work,  having faith that the landowner would pay them something.

At the end of the day, the landowner paid all the workers the very same wages that he had agreed to give the first workers. These "first" workers were unhappy that the landowner gave the others as much as they got, for they had worked longer than all the rest.  However, the landowner reminded them that they had agreed to that pay and that he had the right to do whatever he wished with the others. He chose to be generous. They should not be "envious". This word is not the same as we think - it is actually translated from the Greek word "poneros"  meaning evil, hurtful, degenerate, vicious.. wicked. 

The word "last" also needs to be explored. It comes from the Greek word "eschatos" meaning - farthest, final, last, lowest, uttermost.  Not so much last - in time;  but more last as in the furtherest away, the most hopeless, the lowest status.. 

In Luke 13: 30 this phrase is used again, " And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last."  In this passage Jesus is answering a question, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?"   He says, " Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."   Jesus goes on to say that once the door has been shut.. once the Kingdom has come in its fullness... even those who claim to know Him, but failed to receive Him.. would be unable to enter.  "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth there when you see Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being cast out." In other words, you cannot be saved unless you enter the narrow door!

Who will come into God's kingdom?  Jesus says, " And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God."  The lowest, the least, the last.. will come... but the "first", those thinking they are the greatest.. will be left behind.

This lesson is reinforced to the disciples when the mother of John and James asks Jesus to give her sons a significant place in His kingdom.  Jesus says that "whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave."  To be like Jesus, our example, we must choose the narrow door.. the road least traveled.. "to serve" not to be served; to give our lives and not try to keep it ourselves. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it."  ( Matthew 10:38-39)

Father in heaven, only with You are all things possible. To enter the narrow door... to lay down our lives.. and to dine with You in the Kingdom.. this is our greatest desire and need.  We come as willing slaves, slaves of Jesus Christ.. to lay down our lives and take up our crosses and follow You.  We come by faith and trust that You will do "whatever is right", for You are righteous and good, merciful and just.  Be glorified, Mighty and Gracious God. Thank You for loving us and calling us to be Your own.  In Christ we stand.  Amen.