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Be the first // Seja o primeiro




Who doesn’t want to be the first? The first gets privileges; the first of the classroom get the scholarship; the first of line get to see the singer closer; the first is supposed to mean the best. Everybody wants to be the first.

One day I watched a movie interesting. It told a story about a cross country team when they lost their couch and the school hired another one. A new one with new views of training. At the beginning they couldn’t understand her methods; they seem that she wasn’t training the team to win, although she was. But first, she was teaching them endurance and count their time, managing their steps. They didn’t win the firsts and less important championship, but they got enough points to go to the national championship; and there they were ready, although they didn’t know yet. In the end, they won the national championship spite all the unbelief of the parents and almost losing her job, but the coach believed that was the way of winning. They won. (Remember the goal)

Our life as Christian is the same way. We don’t seem to enjoy life here or live like most people because our goal isn’t regional, our goal is the biggest one.

In Jesus’s home (where my aim is) the first place gets the one who could do the best for Him. It means to be just like him, the best you can. Follow his footsteps. In Jesus dictionary who wants to be the first must be the very last, and servant of all (Mark 9:35). Jesus didn’t come here to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28); if he wanted that he wouldn’t have left His home where He is king. But He came out of love in order to teach us all how to have a good heart, and to have a good heart we must serve.
Why? Because in Jesus’s home there will be no room for proud, arrogant, bullies, mistreatments, envies and all these stuff that rot from inside out our lives.

When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:1 – 17), He was teaching this lesson. He, the Son of Man, the Messiah, the Anointed one was washing feet, a slave job; yes, He did that. Why? To make a point. He is the First and the Last, the Alfa and Omega, bigger than Him there isn’t, and yet, there He was, washing dirty and filthy feet (they didn´t have shoes in that time).

Let’s starts like this:
 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 29 – 32.


Quem não quer ser o primeiro? O primeiro tem privilégios; o primeiro da classe tem a bolsa de estudos; o primeiro da fila consegue ver o cantor mais perto. Se supõe que o primeiro é o melhor. Todo mundo quer ser o primeiro.

Um dia, eu estava vendo um filme interessante. Conta a história de um time de corrida cross-country, quando eles perdem o técnico e a escola admite uma nova técnica.  Noo início eles não conseguiam entender a metodologia de treino dela; esse método parecia que ela não estava treinando o time para ganhar, mas ela estava. Mas primeiro, ela estava ensinando o time a ter resistência, contar o tempo e administrar os passos. Elas não ganharam em primeiro lugar os primeiros campeonatos, mas conseguiram pontos suficiente para ir para o campeonato nacional; e lá elas estavam prontas, embora elas não soubessem ainda.  No final, elas venceram o campeonato nacional apesar da descrença dos pais e de quase perder seu emprego, mas a técnica acreditava que aquela era a forma de vencer. E venceram. (Remember the goal)

Nossa vida cristã é da mesma forma. Não parece que aproveitamos muito a vida aqui, ou vivemos como a maioria das pessoas, porque nosso objetivo não é o campeonato regional, é o maior de todos.

Na casa de Jesus (que é o meu objetivo) o primeiro lugar é aquele que pode fazer o melhor para Ele. Significa ser como Ele, seguir os passos Dele. No dicionário de Jesus quem quer ser o primeiro tem que ser o último e servir a todos (Marcos 9:35). Jesus não veio aqui para ser servido, mas para servir (Mateus 20:28); se Ele quisesse ser servido ele não teria saído da sua casa, onde é Rei. Mas ele veio, por amor, para nos ensinar como ter um bom coração; e para ter um bom coração nós devemos aprender a servir.
Por que? Porque na casa de Jesus não tem lugar para orgulhosos, arrogante, intimidador, maus tratos, invejas e todas essas coisas que apodrecem a nossa vida de dentro para fora.

Quando Jesus lavou os pés dos seus discípulos (João13: 1 – 17), ele estava ensinando essa lição. Ele, o Filho do Homem, o Messias, o Ungido estava lavando pés, um trabalho de escravo; sim, Ele fez isso. Por que? Ele queria chamar a atenção. Ele o Primeiro e o Últmo, o Alfa e o Omega, maior que Ele não há, e ainda assim, lá estava Ele, lavando os pés imundos (eles não tinham sapatos fechados como hoje em dia).

Então comecemos assim:
Nenhuma palavra torpe saia da boca de vocês, mas apenas a que for útil para edificar os outros, conforme a necessidade, para que conceda graça aos que a ouvem. 30 Não entristeçam o Espírito Santo de Deus, com o qual vocês foram selados para o dia da redenção. 31 Livrem-se de toda amargura, indignação e ira, gritaria e calúnia, bem como de toda maldade. 32 Sejam bondosos e compassivos uns para com os outros, perdoando-se mutuamente, assim como Deus os perdoou em Cristo. Efésios 4: 29 – 32.

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