>>>

Matthew 19:30 - The Greatest.

Matthew 19:30 (NIV) But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 19:30 (NLT) 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 (CWR) Many people you expect to be in heaven won't be there.  And others you would not expect to be there will be.

CONTEXT

This verse forms a connecting link between the incident and subsequent discussion recorded in vs. 23-29, and the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, recorded in ch. 20. Note that the same summary declaration is repeated at the close of that parable, a parable that was told specifically to illustrate this great paradox of the Christian faith. [SDA Bible Commentary]

INTRODUCTION

Jesus turned the world's values upside down. Consider the most powerful or well-known people in our world - how many got where they are by being humble, self-effacing, and gentle? Not many! But in the life to come, the last will be first. Don't forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later. Be willing to accept human disapproval while knowing that you have God's approval. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   This parable of the laborers is a warning to all laborers, however long their service, however abundant their labors, that without love to their brethren, without humility before God, they are nothing. There is no religion in the enthronement of self. He who makes self-glorification his aim will find himself destitute of that grace which alone can make him efficient in Christ's service. Whenever pride and self-complacency are indulged, the work is marred...
   Only when selfishness is dead, when strife for supremacy is banished, when gratitude fills the heart, and love makes fragrant the life--it is only then that Christ is abiding in the soul, and we are recognized as laborers together with God...
   This is the spirit of all true service for God. Through a lack of this spirit, many who appear to be first will become last, while those who possess it, though accounted last, will become first.  COL 402-403

COMMENTARY

   Amazing Fact: Jackie Robinson is one of the greatest sports heroes of all time. An African-American baseball player, he is regarded as a sporting legend. In 1947 he became the first black player in major league baseball. He was elected the National League's most valuable player in 1949. He was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, the first black person to gain this honor.
   Who is the greatest sport athlete of all-time? There are lots of opinions, of course, but some of the top stars might include Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Johnny Unitas, Nile Kinnick, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Joe DiMaggio, Billie Jean King, and the entire 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. But how could we forget David Robinson, Walter Payton, Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Wilt Chamberlain, Cal Ripken, Lance Armstrong, Jesse Owens, Arnold Palmer, Arthur Ashe, or Ted Williams?
   There are many lists of greatest sports heroes of all time, and it's interesting that none of them exactly agree. Almost all of them are about adult men and women who can throw the farthest, jump the highest, hit the hardest, or run the fastest. How do you judge who is the greatest sports hero? By the number of trophies or touchdowns? Perhaps it is by the number of medals or records broken.
   Jesus overhead His disciples arguing one day about "who is the greatest." "And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, 'Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great'" (Luke 9:47, 48).
   God's measurement of the greatest is different from man's. Our Lord sees greatness in humble service. You put yourself at the top of His list by bowing low in service. You are lifted up when you kneel down. The next time you think about the greatest sports heroes of all time, think about how many are willing to sacrifice self in order to lift up others. [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 25:31-46 - The Parable of The Sheep and Goats; The Final Judgment.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210524-1002.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/