Matthew 21  The message of Jesus, that the first will be last and the last first, is realized once again in this next chapter.  The Lord enters Jerusalem on a colt, the "foal of a beast of burden".  ( An amazing example of being "last" )  The multitude cries out, " Hosanna to the Son of David.."  Jesus goes into the temple and chases out the evil doers there.

The "first" - the chief priests and scribes -"became indignant".
But, the "last" - the blind and lame, and the children - "came to Him in the temple". 

Jesus tells another parable.  This one is about the man who has two sons. The "first" one says he will go into the vineyard, but doesn't. The "last" one says he won't go, but repents and obeys.  "Which of the two did the will of his father?"  Jesus asks.  "The latter."  they answer.   "Truly I say to you that the tax-gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax-gatherers and the harlots did believe him; and you seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him. "

The religious leaders, though "first" in their own eyes, would not come to God, would not obey the Word of God, and would finally kill the Son of God.  The "last", the weak and needy, the blind and lame, the humble of heart,  believed John and believed Jesus.  They entered the Kingdom of God and found eternal life in Jesus.

I'm drawn back to Matthew 19:29-34.  Jesus is heading from Jericho to Jerusalem for His final days.
There is a great multitude following Him.  Two blind men, sitting by the road, begin to call out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David."  The crowd tried to quiet them, but they persisted in crying out until Jesus stopped.  "What do you want Me to do for you?"  Jesus said to them. These two men, were "last". They were blind, and they were unseen by the crowd.  Yet, Jesus, answered their request and restored their sight. Now seeing, they "followed Him." 

The Pharisees wanted a sign.
The priests and scribes wanted to know what kind of authority He had.
The crowd wanted a King.
Even the disciples wanted a throne.
But, it was to the "last", the least, the humble, that Jesus said "What do you want Me to do for you?"

In great compassion and kindness, our Savior asks us, too, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Lord, I want Your Kingdom to come.  I want Your will to be done.  I want to know You more and love You completely. I want to see You, to gaze at You, to fix my eyes on You and let go of all else.
I want to follow You all the days of my life, to dwell in Your presence, to abide in Your Spirit, and to be faithful to the end.  Have mercy on me, Son of David!  Keep me in Your Truth, I pray, in Jesus' name, Amen.