I Am the First and the Last
In this profound sermon, Pope Shenouda III explains the spiritual meaning of the Lord’s words: “I am the First and the Last,” showing that God alone is the beginning and the end—the eternal, everlasting One before whom there is nothing and after whom there is nothing. This divine truth must be reflected practically in every believer’s life, by making God the first in all things.
The theological and spiritual meaning
God is the First because He is the Creator of all, and the Last because He remains after everything passes away. Yet His Holiness focused on the practical spiritual meaning: that God should be the first in our lives—in time, in importance, in love, and in obedience.
God in priorities
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In the Lord’s Prayer, the first three petitions concern God before any personal requests: “Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.”
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In the Ten Commandments, the first four relate to God, before those about human relations.
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In all commandments and practices, the rule remains: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
Biblical examples of putting God first
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Abraham placed God first when he left his homeland and again when he offered his son Isaac.
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Moses considered “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.”
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The Virgin Mary said, “Let it be to me according to Your word,” putting God above her own plans.
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Hannah, mother of Samuel, gave her son to serve God all his life because God was first in her heart.
Practical application in daily life
His Holiness urged believers to make God first in everything:
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In finances (tithes and firstfruits), giving to God first from their income.
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In time, by beginning the day with prayer and Scripture.
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In work, starting and ending with prayer and thanksgiving.
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In relationships, never preferring anyone over God or compromising truth for others.
God first in love and obedience
Christ said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me,” meaning that the first love must belong to God.
St. Paul declared, “I have suffered the loss of all things to gain Christ,” showing total surrender to God’s primacy.
A warning against the opposite
Man sins when he places himself, his desires, or ambitions first—thus pushing God aside, as Lot or the rich fool did.
Sin begins when the “self” takes the center instead of God.
Conclusion and final message
Whoever puts God first on earth will enjoy Him eternally, where He is truly “the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the All in All.”
The one who begins and ends his day with God truly lives the Lord’s words: “I am the First and the Last.”
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