The First and the Last

In August 1998 TIME Magazine conducted an on-line poll for "Person of the Century". Like many other readers I visited the Internet web site to cast my vote. The set-up was simple. Type in your suggestion for “Person of the Century” then wait for the computer to display the top 20 nominees. According to the web site, the results were updated every few seconds.

Since the survey recorded the opinions of reader's rather than editors, virtually anyone could make it to the top 20 list if they had enough votes.

Among the top ‘vote getters’ were well-known figures such as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, and Ronald Regan. A number of spiritual leaders also made the list including Mohandas Gandhi, Pope John Paul II, and Billy Graham. But what really caught my attention was the first and last person on the top 20 list. First on the survey, with almost 30% of the votes, was Jesus Christ. I was glad to see that Jesus not only made the list, but was in the top spot. As I scanned down the list, I stopped rather abruptly at the last name. It was JESUS CHRIST, but this time with only 0.3% of the vote. Seeing these results I was at first confused, then amused. How could Jesus be both first AND last on the list?

A friend of mine who works with computers explained how it might have happened. The first time Jesus name appeared on the list, it was spelled with lowercase letters. The second time, it was spelled with all capital letters. Computers, he said, recognize uppercase and lowercase letters differently. So as people typed in their votes using two different capitalisation styles, the computer likely thought these were two different names—even though they were actually the same.

The survey results made me smile. I like the idea of Jesus Christ being first and last on a list of important people. Perhaps because these are the spots I hope he holds in my own life.

I would like for Jesus to be first in my heart, my mind and my actions. He’s the One to spend the first part of my day with, exploring the heights and depths of God’s love. He's the first One to turn to for guidance, for the scriptures say he is the beginning of all wisdom. God is my first goal. A lifelong relationship with him is a great foundation for a fulfilling spiritual quest. He’s the first to share in the joy of success and the first to give comfort in times of distress. His very presence is a promise of his peace.

But I would also like for Jesus to be last in my life. As I reach for the light at the start of the night, His love is the last thing I think of. He's the last who would ever leave or forsake me. The last who would ever lose faith in me. His offer of eternity is the last, best hope for this earth. For it was by his word that the world was first made and his word will be the last to be heard. He is the goal at the end of life's journey. And when I draw my last breath, a prayer for his grace and his mercy will be my last request.

You know what I’ve discovered about personal priorities? When I make Jesus first and last in my life, I find that all the in between stuff seems to fall into place.

In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible the Apostle John saw a vision of Jesus in heaven. In the vision John hears Jesus speak these words: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13, NLT) These are powerful words that remind me of an important truth. Jesus isn't just an important person who has influenced the last century. He is the driving force and thriving truth of all centuries. He isn't just one of many important things in life. He is the only thing that really matters.

“This is what the LORD, Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty, says: am the First and the Last; there is no other God.” Isaiah 44:6 NLT