The Upside-Down Kingdom Of Christ

Introduction: The Race to Be First

Church, have you ever noticed how obsessed the world is with being first?

Think of school days: the first honor, the valedictorian, the one with the medal around their neck. Parents clap the loudest when their child is first. Even at children’s parties, the little ones race to the food line, each trying to be first to grab the biggest slice of cake.

Business people want to be the first in sales, the first in promotion, the first in recognition. Politicians want to be first in the survey, first in power, first in everything.

And in traffic?

Everyone wants to be the first to cut in line. You’ve seen it—drivers squeezing in, honking, rushing as if the world is ending if they’re not first.

The world glorifies the first. The ones who succeed, the ones at the top.

Meanwhile, it looks down on the last—the overlooked, the forgotten, the ones at the bottom.

But then we hear Jesus say something radical: “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” What does this mean?

🟥 The World’s Ladder vs. God’s Kingdom

Let me illustrate with a ladder.

Imagine life as a tall ladder. Everyone is climbing—each step higher means more money, more power, more respect. The higher you are, the more people look up to you.

Now, picture Jesus. Instead of climbing up, He turns the ladder upside down. He says, “If you want to be great in My kingdom, don’t climb higher—climb lower. Don’t seek to be served—serve.”

This is shocking because it reverses our logic. The world says: “Be first at all costs.” Jesus says: “It’s better to be last in humility than first in pride.”

🟥 What Does “The Last Will Be First” Mean?

1. A Warning Against Pride

In Jesus’ time, the Pharisees thought they were first in line to heaven. They memorized Scripture, gave offerings, wore religious robes, and prayed loudly in public. They thought, “Surely, God will choose us first.”

But Jesus shocked them when He said tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom before them (Matthew 21:31).

Why? Because the proud believed they deserved the kingdom, but the broken came with humility and repentance.

Imagine two men praying. One stands tall: “Lord, I thank You that I am not like this sinner.” The other bows low: “God, have mercy on me.” Jesus said the humble man went home justified.

Pride pushes us forward in the world, but it pushes us backward in the kingdom.

2. A Comfort for the Overlooked

Now let’s shift the lens. Some of you may feel like you are always last. Last to be recognized. Last to be chosen. Last in resources. Last in opportunities.

But hear this good news: God sees you. The world may ignore you, but heaven notices. The last in line here may be the first welcomed in glory.

Think of the widow who gave two small coins at the temple. Others gave large amounts, but Jesus said she gave more than anyone.

Why? Because she gave all she had. In the world’s eyes, she was last. In God’s eyes, she was first.

3. A Call to Live Differently

Jesus isn’t just talking about the afterlife. He’s inviting us to live differently now.

To put others before ourselves. To let go of selfish ambition. To see greatness not in being served but in serving.

Story: Mother Teresa once picked up a dying man from the gutter. He was filthy, starving, covered in sores. She cleaned him, fed him, comforted him. With his last breath, he whispered, “All my life, I lived like a dog on the street, but now I will die like an angel, loved and cared for.”

That is the kingdom of God at work: choosing to be “last” in the world’s eyes, so that others might be lifted up.

🟥 The Example of Jesus

If anyone deserved to be first, it was Jesus—the Son of God, King of kings. Yet:

He was born in a stable, not a palace.

He rode a donkey, not a warhorse.

He washed the disciples’ feet, instead of demanding their service.

He carried a cross, instead of a crown of gold.

Paul says: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place…” (Philippians 2:8–9).

Jesus chose to be last, and the Father made Him first.

Application for Us Today

So what does this mean for you and me?

When the world pressures you to climb higher, Jesus calls you to kneel lower.

When society says “push ahead,” Jesus says “let others go first.”

When ambition says “be seen,” Jesus whispers, “serve unseen.”

Parents, maybe greatness isn’t about giving your children the best grades or clothes, but teaching them humility and kindness. Workers, maybe greatness isn’t about being the boss, but about being faithful in small things. Students, maybe greatness isn’t about being first in class, but about lifting up a classmate who struggles.