Scripture to Read: Luke 13:29–30
Jesus continued to describe a little bit of heaven as God had Luke record in Luke 13:29–30, “And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.” People who surrender to Christ as Lord will come from every tongue, tribe, and nation. God had John record this in Revelation 7:9, “…I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands.” As Jesus spoke to the Jews in Luke 13, many of them were probably shocked at Jesus’ statement, for they had all been taught that the Messiah and salvation were only for the Jews and not for the Gentiles. Jesus also described people reclining at the table, so the fellowship with Christ and all other followers of Christ will be sweet. Jesus also said that many of those in God’s kingdom may be greater than they were on earth. Just because a follower of Christ here on earth has a title, position, power, popularity, prestige, or any other notoriety does not mean they will be elevated that way in heaven. God will elevate whom He chooses and will humble some who may need humbling. That is why “some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.”
Challenge & Application
Why is it important to understand that believers will come from every tongue, tribe, and nation?
Why do we not need to chase a title, position, power, popularity, prestige, or any other notoriety here but live fully for Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!