“So if you are presenting a sacrifice  at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God…When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly….” (Matthew 5:23-25)

On a typical Sunday afternoon — I am surrounded by a cadre of nieces and nephews, all shouting “Me First”.
It’s not that they are bad kids, it just what kids do.
I pick one up and fly them through the air.

“Me, me. I want a turn. Me, I want to go”.

I push one on the swing:
“Me, push me now. Me.”

Their eagerness doesn’t have any sophisticated layers of egotism.
When you are four or five years old, it’s just fun to be tossed into the air.
You really can do it again and again, even if the grown up doing the tossing is exhausted. And you can’t wait another second for it to be your turn.

As kids grow though — this “me first” attitude isn’t so cute any more.
In fact, in adults, it’s downright ugly, that is unless, it is transformed.

Jesus has a way of transforming everything.
He turned water into wine.
Fish and loaves into a buffet line.
Poor uneducated fishermen — into men who turned the world upside down.

In His sermon on the Mount — line by line, Jesus takes what is normal and expected and turns it into something quiet different.

You have heard it said “You shall not murder”.
But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother is guilty before the court.

You have heard it said that you shall not commit adultery —
But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman and wants her  — has already done the deed in his heart.

All of a sudden, morality and righteousness isn’t only about actions, it’s about thoughts and deeply seated darkness in the heart.

And here — Jesus takes a simple line that is usually reserved for selfishness — “Me First” , and breathes holy life into it.

“When you at the temple bringing your gifts to your Father in heaven and you remember that your friend is angry with you — leave your gift there — and go find your brother and be reunited with him.”

This is radical thinking. This is contrary wisdom.

Go to your friend — that one who has something against  YOU —

And say “Me First”.

I will go. I will build a bridge.
I will make things right when I don’t have to.
I will give up my rights, when I am entitled to respect.
I will give up my pride — when I am entitled to honor.

Me first – I will die to my selfishness.

Me first — I will apologize.

Me first — I will humble myself.

We can know this is true, because this is what Jesus Himself communicated through His life and ministry:

“Me First — I will wash feet”.
“Me First — I will die for the sake of others”
“Me First — I will go, I will love, I will die”

What about us?

Do we say “Me First — I will get what I want and deserve! I will take mine first!”
Or do we say “Me First — I will serve, love and die for the sake of love”.

Let Jesus transform this phrase and our hearts as we follow His lead.

Who knows, saying “Me First” may be the most radical, humble thing you ever do in Jesus’ name.