"First and Last"

 

“First and Last”

 

One of the original American League franchises was the Washington Senators. The team played in our Nation’s Capital for 60 years (1901-1960) before moving west and being renamed the Minnesota Twins in 1961. During that time the DC boys finished in last place nine times, seventh in 15 seasons and only broke into the first division 18 times. This record of futility led columnist Charley Dryden to observe, “Washington: first in war, first in peace and last in the American League,” To be fair, they did manage to win three pennants and a World Series (1924) during their six decades in town but for the most part they were in the also-ran category.

Dryden’s quip got me to thinking about the firsts and lasts in Scripture. Both the Hebrew and Greek words for first have the idea of primary in place, time and rank. But the languages have different nuances for last. The Hebrew term comes from a root for procrastinate with the resulting meaning of follow behind (see Numbers 2:31) but the Greek is more explicit and carries the thought of final, end or uttermost (see 1 Peter 1:20). Interestingly both are combined when Christ describes Himself as “I am the First and the Last.” (Revelation 1:17)—in other words, “I am the Eternal One”, a claim He repeats in Revelation 22:13. And Paul says that because of who He is “…He is first in everything.” (Colossians 1:18. NLT).

Some significant “firsts’ and “lasts” in the New Testament include (emphasis added in each case):

“…Seek first (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (i.e. life’s necessities) will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33).

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance….” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26).

“There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1).

But there were (and still are) those who seek to promote themselves to higher positions. Jesus’ friend and apostle wrote of the “church boss” Diotrephes “…who loves to be first….” (3 John 9). In concluding His parable of the two pray-ers in the temple Jesus said. “…The proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.” (Luke 18:14, NLT). So let’s put God first and let Him take it from there. Remember, He has the last word!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan