What Jesus Meant by 'The Last Will Be First'

Who gets to be first? Trace the theme of the firstborn through the story of the Bible and discover how God overturns human systems and redefines power as love.

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00:00 The right of the firstborn in human history
00:35 God gives younger siblings the birthright in the Bible
01:21 Israel chooses Saul and God chooses David
01:38 God turns power and status upside-down
01:53 Sibling rivalries over who gets to be first
02:36 Jesus as the firstborn of all creation
03:21 A poem about how Jesus redefined power
03:50 Jesus becomes the firstborn from among the dead
04:24 Jesus' followers become the family of the firstborn

[bibleproject]

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[AndreaFelizM]

“True power is displayed through self giving love.”

[realitywins]

“All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.” -Francois Fenelon

[KevinLendio]

This feels like going into a very expensive art exhibit!! Great storytelling, and man, the ILLUSTRATION, the ANIMATION, and the SOUND DESIGN! Thank you for using your brains and talents for the Lord!

[JaniceCarter-wslu]

Always stay Humble and Keep God first with whatever type of Power that you possess❤

[victoriam]

Okay I love the biblical message/knowledge you share. But I just want to turn attention to the artistic side of things. You guys are doing an amazing job👍🏻👍🏻

[russbeckum]

I've been really studying alot these last couple of years my brother has even learned biblical hebrew to help study and its so refreshing that we aren't alone with our beliefs, even after countless confrontations.

[MrApex]

The sibling struggle between my older brother and I was evident. Monitor apart my mother's siblings as well. I pray these atrocities are not visited upon my son's or my daughter's. I pray they live with one another in harmony and maintain a beautiful relationship. Amen.

[iceteasaltacc]

As a first child I am sad and happy at the same time

[ooogabooogaa]

As the youngest, this hit me home. Makes me happy that i too stands a chance here. In my tradition it is often said that the youngest in the family often receives the least amount of blessings and it has appeared to be true in many families thus this word was passed on from generation to generation.

[CerroneSamuel]

You can’t help but love Jesus the more and more you learn about Him. Thank you Bible Project Team.

[coen]

As an artist myself this is extremely inspiring. Beautiful!

[RLC]

This is so deep, it's the colors for me!!! Yessss Hallelujah! Obedience is better than sacrifice.

[sincerelyjoe]

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

🙏

Psalm 147:3

[FatOldGuyPlaysGuitar]

"These are families that set aside rivalries & invite everyone to share the responsibility of being sons & daughters in a new royal family." This is the definition of what Jesus wants His Church to be. 🙏✝

[ogabrielsouza]

It’s unbelievably amazing. After years studying Bible Ive never seen the history of Israel by that perspective. Don’t know for you guys, but the amount of lessons that can be taken from the Bible just shows me that it can’t be made out, it means it really comes from God. I truly think human beings wouldn’t be that creative. God bless the team for the great job btw ❤ love from Brazil 🇧🇷

[grantyhall]

This upside down kingdom, the turning around of cultural norms, this setting aside of humanistic power on earth… it’s incredibly illuminating that this theme is shared not only in the story of Cain and Abel, but continues to the servant Jesus washing feet and beyond too. Thank you for creating such quality, and easy to follow thoughts, patterns and ideas about this great story - Go’s story to us.

[debriefthat]

"And when Jesus' people discover the real power is love, that's when the truly discover the power of the firstborn." Such a great ending! It's also what the book Renovated by Dallas Willard and Jim Wilder is all about.

[jessemoody]

Wow!! This was truly beautiful! Thank you so much for all the hard work that you all put into explaining Jesus' message through clear words, stunning visuals, and beautiful sound!

[trav]

God has been teaching me this same thing. About becoming a servant in all things. In my job, my family, etc. Giving is the true purpose of believers. That’s truly how people see Jesus in us.