Going First

Sometimes going first is a privilege, and other times going first is a curse. Ice cream or getting to ride the Sea-Doo® – that’s a privilege. The first to get fired or go to jail – not so much. However, for some things, it’s important that someone does go first, otherwise the job might not get done.

What about forgiving someone you’re in a dispute with? Who forgives who first? Some would say the one who has wronged should apologize first; others might say the more mature moves first. Either way, someone has to go first.

When it comes to forgiving us of our sins, God demonstrated His maturity by seeking us out “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). But we can see where He’s taken the leadership role in redemption, long before the cross. Consider what happened in the Garden of Eden in Genesis. Adam and Eve chose sin. Knowing the consequence of doing that, they did it anyways. It’s here where we see God take the initiative to redeem by offering the first blood sacrifice. Genesis 3:21, “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” The animal skin didn’t fall off!

But we also see where He led the way out of Egyptian slavery by being the guide for the Israelites in the form of a fiery pillar by night, and a cloudy pillar by day. Later, He led the judges to help lead the Israelites towards solving the problems they faced. Then, King David often called on God to lead them into battle. In 1 Chronicles 14:15, David inquired of God about fighting the Philistines and God said, “…As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”

But we can even see that God moved first in actions of mercy, like in the case with the people of Nineveh when Jonah delivered a message of repentance. Or with the woman caught in adultery (John 8), and especially towards us when He gave His own life on the cross. Jesus said in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!”

Every action of God taking the lead was, in part, to help us know how to do what we need to do. Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul shares the hope of resurrection that believers share because of what Jesus did in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him.” Jesus did it first! But to be where He is, to enjoy His promises, we have to “follow Him.” Who’s comin’ with me?