“So those who are last now will someday be first. And those who are first now will someday be last.” Matthew 20:16 ICB

We all have to wait in line for things. If you go to school or Sunday School where you have a class full of kids, sometimes your teacher will ask you to “line up.” Guess where most people like to be in line? Yep—first. Some kids want to be first so badly that they run or push their way to the front, and that can actually hurt people. Even grown-ups like to be in the front of the line.

Why does it feel so important to us to be first?

Jesus understands why. When he was living on earth, he noticed a lot of people were trying to have the most honored place near him or complaining if others got something they didn’t. He could see their hearts, and he knew that most people just wanted to feel like they were special. Jesus loves everyone so much, and he wants us to know that we are all equally special to him.

He wants to help us learn an important lesson about his kingdom so that we will not fight about things. He said that in his kingdom, the last will be first and the first will be last.

What do you think he meant when he said that?

Does he mean that in Heaven he is going to turn the line around and let the last person go first and the first person go last? Maybe. But sometimes when he says these confusing things, he is giving us hint about something very important for our life today.

Let’s see if he wants us to think about lining up differently…

• Maybe he wants us to choose to “go last” sometimes and give someone else a chance to be in the front.

• Maybe he wants us to worry less about what we are getting and work hard to make sure others get something.

• Maybe he wants us to understand that he has more than enough love and time for every single person, and we don’t have to wait in line to be close to him.

Today, let’s try to help other people feel special. Let’s let the person behind us have a turn before we do. Let’s look for ways to do things backwards sometimes like Jesus did. His kingdom is sometimes confusing, but so much more fun!