Here is another verse so many of us take out of context; verse 16, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” The verse talks about non-Jews having equal access to the Kingdom of God as Jews. Somehow we love to use this verse as some sort of “get to the front of the line” verse. It is important to know what Jesus is saying and why he says the things he says. For this verse we must remember that Jesus died for everyone, not just a select few. It is not up to us to figure who to impact, but to remember we are a reflection of Him in all that we do.
2012 Day 63 – Matthew 20
03 Saturday Mar 2012
Posted in Daily Reading
Daily Devotion 
God love those disciples. Jesus has just gotten done explaining to them what’s about to happen to him. Betrayal, crucifixion, rising from the dead. Some pretty heavy stuff. And their reaction? Who gets to take the place of honor? I want it! No, me! Wait, no, me! Wow. Saying that they just don’t get it is the understatement of the millennia. Jesus very pointedly tells them they don’t get it and then says, “Can you drink my cup?” Basically, can you handle/do what I’m doing and about to do? Still clueless they say, “Yeah. Sure. Why not?” I shake my head sadly for them. And then Jesus ends the whole thing there when he tell them that actually they will have to drink from him cup, but he doesn’t reward places of honor. That’s left up to God. And he finishes out by turning the whole “place of honor” thing on it’s head when he talks about being a servant leader. Kind of throws them for another loop.
Stan Mitchell is actually preaching on this very passage throughout Lent. You should check it out. He makes it make way more sense than I ever could.