First

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, (Luke 12:1 ESV)

First

As a teenager, I enjoyed movies in the theater.  But as a human teenager, I was selfish, greedy, and pushy.  My friends and I, after arriving in the theater, would casually make our way to the front of the line.  We assumed no one noticed our stealthy moves, but they probably were just more polite than we were.

Being first is kind of nice. 

There is one situation where we Christians are always first:  In the mind and heart of our Savior, Christ Jesus.  Yes, Jesus brings His Word to the world, but it first has come to us.  Yes, Jesus acts for the safety and wellbeing of all people, but first, He cares for us.  Yes, Jesus blesses the world with rain, seasons, and peace.  But first, He blesses us.

It might not make logical mathematical sense, but with Jesus, each of us are always somehow first.  He loves us individually.  He died for us individually.  He provides for us individually.

But not because we are so desirable.  No, we are first in His line because of HIM.  It is His grace, His mercy, His transformation of us into His siblings that makes us first.

So it is not a braggy thing, like my friends at the theater.

It is an awe-ful, humble, dependent thing.

What does Jesus do for us?  He makes us first, after Him.