Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCharles Simeon Commentary - Luke 13:30 - 13:30
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
THE LAST FIRST, AND THE FIRST LAST
THIS is a declaration frequently made by our blessed Lord; and therefore we may be sure it contains some very important truths, that deserve our deepest attention. Persons who are addicted to human systems will put an exceedingly different construction upon these words; some pressing them to an unwarrantable extent; whilst others limit them, so as to enervate and destroy all their force. We, however, desire to treat them, not in a proud and controversial spirit, but in a spirit of humility and love; equally avoiding both extremes, and endeavouring to deduce from them such practical instruction as our Lord himself intended them to convey. With this view, I will,
I. Shew to what an extent they have been realized—
That God acts as a Sovereign in the communication of good, we have no doubt; but not so in the distribution of evil: and therefore, whilst we see in this passage a clear evidence of electing love, we cannot for a moment admit that there is any ground for the doctrine of absolute reprobation. If the last are made first, it is by the grace of God: but if the first are made last, it is altogether by their own fault. This will appear in every part of the subject; whilst I shew, that the truth here conveyed has been realized in all ages, and is yet daily realized amongst men, in whatever light they be viewed. View them,
1. In their national privileges—
[The Jews were God’s peculiar people. Never did any nation under heaven enjoy such privileges as they. They, for the space of two thousand years, were “the first” in every thing that related to eternal life. As for the poor benighted Gentiles, they were left in darkness and the shadow of death, given over to follow their own evil ways, and to be led captive by the devil at his will. But in the apostolic age the case was altogether changed; the Jews being cast off from God; and the Gentiles being admitted into covenant with him, and made partakers of far higher privileges than were ever accorded to the Jews. There is, in fact, scarcely any comparison between the mercies vouchsafed to us, and those of which God’s ancient people partook: so true is it, that “we, who once were last, are now first; and the Jews, who were once first, are last.” In fact, that is now fulfilled which our blessed Lord foretold, that multitudes now “come to him from every quarter of the globe, to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; whilst the children of the kingdom, the poor infatuated Jews, are cast into outer darkness, where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth [Note: Mat_8:11-12.].”]
2. In their civil station—
[The rich and great and noble appear to have immense advantages for heaven, because they can employ a great portion of their time in heavenly pursuits; whilst the poor, who are necessitated to earn their bread by some earthly occupation, have but little time to spare for the acquisition of divine knowledge. But “the rich, for the most part, are too wise in their own conceit [Note: Pro_28:11.]” to suspect their own ignorance, or to submit to divine teaching: and they have such a fulness and sufficiency of earthly gratifications, that they are not disposed to seek after happiness in things above. The poor, on the contrary, are more willing to receive instruction, and to listen to advice in relation to spiritual and eternal riches. This has been the case in all ages. In our Lord’s day, it was said, “Have any of the Rulers and of the Pharisees believed on him?” But “the common people heard him gladly.” In like manner, St. Paul says of those in his day, “Not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” And in every age, St. James informs us, “God hath chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom [Note: Jam_2:5.].”]
3. In their intellectual attainments—
[Certainly knowledge, beyond every thing else, elevates man above his fellows. Yet, when his aspect is viewed in reference to religion, it is frequently found rather hostile, than friendly, to heavenly pursuits. Hence it is said, in a fore-cited passage, that “not many wise men after the flesh are called; but, instead of them, the foolish, the weak, and the base [Note: 1Co_1:26-28.].” Indeed, God has said, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world [Note: 1Co_1:19-20.]?” The truth is, that the wisdom of this world is so deeply impregnated with pride, that it cannot submit to the humiliating doctrines of the Gospel [Note: 1Co_2:14.]. “The wisdom of God is foolishness with man: and the wisdom of man is foolishness with God [Note: 1Co_1:21-25.]:” and the only way for any man to become truly wise, is to become a fool in his own estimation, and to receive with child-like simplicity every word that God hath spoken [Note: 1Co_3:18-20.]. And if any think it hard that such contempt should be poured on human wisdom, let him know that our blessed Saviour saw nothing in it but ground for praise and thanksgiving: “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight [Note: Mat_11:25-26.].”]
4. In their moral habits—
[These, above all, we should suppose to be favourable to the reception of the Gospel. But really experience is far from confirming this sentiment: for the Scribes and Pharisees were externally moral; yet did publicans and harlots enter into the kingdom of heaven before them [Note: Mat_21:31.].” “The former justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John: whereas the latter rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him [Note: Luk_7:29-30.].” And, as the fruit of these different dispositions, the Pharisee, who thought himself righteous, and despised others, went from the Divine presence with all his guilt upon him, whilst the self-condemning Publican was justified from all his sins [Note: Luk_18:10-14.]. Where can we find a more impious character than Manasseh? or one more bitter than Saul? or one in a more desperate condition than the dying thief? Yet all these found mercy of the Lord, that “in them, as in the chief of sinners, God might be the more glorified [Note: 1Ti_1:15-16.].” And thus it frequently is at this day: “where sin has abounded, grace much more abounds; that as sin has reigned unto death, so grace might reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord [Note: Rom_5:20-21.].”
Thus, in all these respects, are our Lord’s words fully verified; not only the Gentiles occupying a higher station than God’s ancient people; but the poor, the illiterate, and the depraved being raised to a participation of God’s kingdom and glory, to a far greater extent than the rich, the learned, and the moral: so true is it still, as in former ages, that “God raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory [Note: 1Sa_2:8.].”]
Having endeavoured to elucidate the words before us, I will now,
II. Suggest the improvement which, in my judgment the subject calls for—
I cannot conceive any subject more calculated,
1. To put down presumption—
[Let any person be as elevated as he will in national privileges, or civil station, or intellectual attainments, or moral habits, yea, I will add also, in religious experience; let him be the admiration of all around him; yet will I say, that if he be lifted up with pride, he will fall into the condemnation of the devil; and, from being the first in human estimation, he will become the last in Divine acceptance. Look at Demas: so eminent was he in the estimation of St. Paul, that twice did the Apostle join him with St. Luke, in his salutations to the saints: “Salute Lucas and Demas.” Yet we find this man at last forsaking the way of godliness, and turning back to a state of utter worldliness and carnality [Note: 2Ti_4:10.]. In the book of Job we read of many “whose excellency mounts up to the heavens, and their head reaches to the clouds; and yet, at last, they perish like their own dung; and they who have seen them are led, with a mixture of doubt and lamentation, to say, Where is he [Note: Job_20:6-7.]?” And where shall we find a Church in which such instances have not occurred, to the disgrace of true religion, and to the grief of all who held fast their profession? I say then to every soul of man, however advanced in piety he may appear, “Be not high-minded, but fear.” Yea, though he may have attained the eminence of Paul himself, I will bid him “keep his body under, and bring it into subjection; lest, after having preached to others, he himself should become a cast-away [Note: 1Co_9:27.].”]
2. To prevent despair—
[Let not any one tell me that his guilt is too great to be forgiven, or his depravity too inveterate to be subdued. I will grant that the disadvantages under which a man may labour may be so great as to render his conversion, in all human appearance, impossible; yet will I say, that though he be the last, yet may he become the first. What cannot He do, who formed the universe out of nothing, and reduced the chaos to the order and beauty in which we behold it? If only we remember who it is that is engaged in our behalf, we shall never despond. For what is there that God cannot effect? If there ever was any thing to be despaired of, it was, that Jesus should be restored to life after he had been committed to the tomb. But did not “the stone which the builders had disallowed become the head-stone of the corner?” and shall not He who was “crucified through weakness” “put all his enemies under his feet?” Then I say, let no man entertain desponding thoughts, as though he were beyond the reach of mercy: for however “far off we may be from God, we may be brought nigh by the blood of Christ.”Only let us call on Him “who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were;” and let us, “against hope, believe in hope [Note: Rom_4:17-18.];” and, like Abraham, we shall be made “friends of God,” yea, and sit down, at last, with Abraham in the kingdom of our God, for ever and ever.]