Last Shall Be First: True Greatness in the Eyes of God

In a world obsessed with status power and material success the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:30 ring as a stark contradiction to the prevailing norms of society. “But many who are the greatest now will be least important then and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” This statement is not just a commentary on the inversion of earthly power structures but a profound revelation of how God values people differently than the world does. It challenges the very foundation upon which success is built and forces us to reconsider what it truly means to be great.

Today society measures greatness through wealth influence and social standing. Celebrities billionaires and political figures dominate conversations and headlines. The wealthy accumulate fortunes that extend beyond their own lifetimes while social media influencers dictate trends and command the attention of millions. The power dynamics of modern civilization seem to affirm that those with the most resources have the most control. However when we compare this to the teachings of Jesus we find a striking contrast. The very things that define greatness today are insignificant in the Kingdom of God.

In the Bible greatness is not measured by money power or influence but by humility servanthood and faithfulness. Jesus himself modeled this when he washed the feet of his disciples a task that was considered beneath a teacher let alone the Son of God. His life was a direct challenge to the world’s hierarchy. Instead of associating with the elite he dined with sinners and tax collectors healed the broken and lifted up the outcasts. He taught that the first shall be last and the last shall be first demonstrating that God’s value system is radically different from that of humanity.

Consider the parallels between Jesus’ teaching and contemporary society. The rise of capitalism and corporate dominance has created an environment where people are ranked based on their net worth and productivity. CEOs of multinational companies often earn more in a day than some of their employees do in a year. The world celebrates these figures as visionaries and icons of success yet many of them lead lives filled with anxiety loneliness and moral compromise. The pursuit of success as defined by the world often leads to an insatiable hunger for more a relentless cycle of acquiring and achieving with no real sense of fulfillment.

On the other hand those who dedicate their lives to serving others rarely receive recognition. The volunteers who work in homeless shelters the missionaries who bring aid to impoverished nations the teachers who invest in the next generation and the caregivers who look after the sick and elderly these are the people whom society often overlooks. Yet in the eyes of God these individuals embody the very definition of greatness. They may not have millions in their bank accounts but they have something far more valuable eternal significance.

This idea is further illustrated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16. The rich man lived in luxury every day while Lazarus a poor beggar sat at his gate longing for scraps. When both men died their fortunes reversed. Lazarus was comforted in Abraham’s bosom while the rich man suffered in torment. This story encapsulates the meaning of Jesus’ words that the first will be last and the last will be first. The rich man had everything in the eyes of the world but nothing in the eyes of God. Lazarus had nothing in the eyes of the world but was counted as worthy in the Kingdom.

Modern society continues to elevate those who build empires while dismissing those who live with humility and serve selflessly. Yet we see time and again how fleeting worldly success is. Corporations collapse overnight scandals destroy reputations and riches are lost in financial crises. The tech billionaires who dominate headlines today may be forgotten tomorrow. The entertainment icons who are adored now will one day be relics of the past. Fame and fortune do not last but the impact of a humble servant endures.

Jesus’ teaching challenges us to reconsider our own pursuits and priorities. If the greatest in the world today will be least in the Kingdom of God then how should we live? Should we chase after wealth and recognition or should we seek to serve and uplift others? The answer lies in the very life of Jesus who though he was God chose to take on the form of a servant. He did not seek fame or political power but rather gave himself for the sake of others. His greatness was not in his worldly status but in his sacrifice and obedience to the will of the Father.

This message is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. The pursuit of self-glorification leads to emptiness but the pursuit of serving others leads to true fulfillment. We see this even in secular research where studies have shown that those who dedicate themselves to helping others experience higher levels of happiness and purpose. The world may dismiss these individuals as insignificant but God exalts them. The nurse who cares for the terminally ill the parent who sacrifices for their children the pastor who shepherds a small unnoticed congregation these are the ones who will be first in the Kingdom of God.

As we navigate a world that constantly pressures us to seek status and wealth the words of Jesus serve as a powerful reminder that true greatness is found in humility. It is not those who accumulate the most or command the most attention who will be honored in eternity but those who live lives of selfless service. When the final reckoning comes the values of this world will be turned upside down. The first will be last and the last will be first.

In reflecting on this truth we must ask ourselves where we stand. Are we striving for a greatness that will fade or for a greatness that will endure? The answer lies in how we choose to live whether we align ourselves with the temporary values of the world or with the eternal principles of God. Those who embrace the latter may seem least now but in the Kingdom of Heaven they will be the greatest.

“But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” — Matthew 19:30