Who's First?
And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. ~Genesis 37:8
As a child, we would always want to be at the front of the line. As soon as the teacher cried out, “Who’s first?”, there would be a mad scramble to be in first place. Joseph had an incredible dream that depicted his brothers bowing down to him. He did not know when and how this would happen. However, the dream was very clear, and Joseph was a faithful messenger in conveying this dream to his brothers. Their reaction to this dream was hostile. They scornfully asked, “Shalt thou indeed reign over us?” Do you think you have first place over us? Will you be our lord? There is a powerful application to this question. The question that we should be asking today is, “Is Jesus Christ first in our life?” “Is Jesus Christ Lord of our life?’
There is the right to Lordship.
First, the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord! He has first right and claim in anything and over everything. He is Lord of Heaven and He is Lord of earth. He is Lord over all creation. He sits in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. The Lord Jesus has all power in Heaven and earth. The Lord Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Lord Jesus is first and does not share His glory with anyone. His name is above all other names. His name is exalted. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lord’s name is to be praised. Second, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. A day is coming when all will confess Jesus is Lord.
There is the rivalry to Lordship.
There is conflict in many Christians' hearts about Jesus' right in being Lord of their lives. Joseph’s brothers asked, “Shalt thou indeed reign over us?” People have a fear about Lordship. They fear it will cost them. People have an aversion to Lordship. They do not want Jesus to be Lord. They do not want to say, “Yes, Lord.” People have a resistance to Lordship. Allowing Jesus to be Lord is an intrusion to some people. They want final and total say for their life. Like Joseph’s brothers, some people question the Lordship of Jesus. Like these brothers, some people have a problem with Jesus being Lord in their life.
There is the resignation to Lordship.
Jesus asked the multitudes who came to hear Him preach a convicting question: “And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Lordship requires obedience and submission. Unless Jesus Christ is Lord over everything, He is not Lord at all. Ultimately, the struggles of our heart must come to the place where Jesus alone is Lord. We must come to the place as the Apostle Paul did when after getting knocked off of his horse, he looked up and said, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” That’s resignation! That’s letting go of our refusal, our reluctance, and rebellion and giving Him full control. Allowing Jesus to be Lord over everything in our life is like giving Him our car and car keys and allowing Him to sit in the driver’s seat. There must be a resignation.
Who’s first? The question should not be, “Shalt thou indeed reign over us?” Instead, the question should be, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Make the decision today to allow the Lord Jesus be Lord of all.
Have a submission-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Daniel 1-3