Last of All
For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake… 1 Corinthians 4:9-10.
The great man of God, Paul the apostle, lived an examined life. A life observed, a life measured, a life exhibited for all to see. In the beginning a murderous persecutor of the Lord’s disciples, he later became God’s chosen instrument to the Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel (see Acts 9). From the beginning, Paul’s life was a spectacle.
Great testimonies often are, especially of the sent ones.
The Greek term for apostle, from apo = from and stella = send forth, means sent one. According to the 1828 Webster’s dictionary, apostle means those sent forth with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work.
Although the Biblical office of apostle describes the particular men given the authority and power to build the early church, the work of sending did not end there.
All who follow Jesus have been sent by Him.
In Matthew 28:18, Jesus sent us forth with a special commission to represent Him to the world by going, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all Jesus commands.
As sent ones, shall we be surprised, then, if we are spectacles to the world?
What if this emptying out, this last place, is the very thing that qualifies us for imitation? After sharing in more detail the trials he faced, Paul goes on to say,
Perhaps humiliation, stripping, emptying of self, is the very highest equipping of leadership. Jesus has asked His leaders to be last of all. Click To TweetI urge you be imitators of me (1 Corinthians 4:16).
After all, Jesus, our Savior and Commissioner, emptied Himself and became nothing that we might be saved. (To learn more about Christ’s example of humility, read Philippians 2:3-11). Shall we not follow His footsteps, yielding to the last position, the observation of all heaven and earth, as we step out in obedience to the Father of our souls?
If I am empty of me, perhaps Jesus will be more clearly seen instead. Jesus in me, One worth following, One with power and authority to heal wounded hearts and strengthen the weak. One with the kindness to draw others to repentance and encounter the love, mercy, and grace of God.
The hard truth is, I am better when I am suffering. Less of me, more of Jesus. Less of my own wisdom, my own strength. Dependent on Him. Less likely to think I know the solution to broken human hearts. More likely to ask Him for eyes to clearly see the people around me, to be fully present with them in their struggles. To invite them to the One who clearly saw me and loved me.
God exhibits us as last of all, that many may understand they are first in His heart. We are fools for Christ, so many may become wise. We are weak, so many may become strong. We are dishonored so that others may know the honor Jesus died to secure for them.
All the while, we wait, knowing that there will come a day when He who emptied Himself will embrace us and welcome us home, along with the many others He sent us forth to lead. On that day, the only spectacle will be the King of Kings in all His glory. Let us fix our eyes on that beautiful thought today.
Lord, I will. I will be last of all that You may be first in all the earth. Amen.
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