The Unexpected Openness of Outsiders: The last becoming first and the surprising journey to salvation is a theme that recurs throughout the Gospels, challenging conventional ideas about who is truly close to God. Often, those who might be seen as outsiders, with little knowledge of Christ, display a striking openness and generosity that surpasses even the most devout believers. In Luke 11:29-32, Jesus highlights this truth by comparing non-Jews—gentiles—with His fellow Jews. His message is clear: those who have traditionally been seen as outside of God’s people are often more open to receiving His truth.
Take, for instance, the Queen of the South. She traveled from faraway lands to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. She symbolizes the readiness of outsiders, including people from distant places like Africa, to hear the Word of God. Similarly, the Ninevites, long considered enemies of Israel, repented at Jonah’s preaching—even though Jonah himself was reluctant. In both cases, Jesus points out that someone greater than Solomon and Jonah is present (Luke 11:31-32), yet many of those with religious knowledge—the Jews—failed to recognize or embrace Him. This contrast is a sharp reminder to believers to remain vigilant, lest they fall into complacency, presuming their faith is secure without examining their hearts.
The Two Covenants: Flesh vs. Spirit
St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (4:22-24) adds depth to this lesson by comparing two covenants using the story of Hagar and Sarah. Hagar, the servant woman, represents the old covenant of the law—a covenant that brings slavery. On the other hand, Sarah, the free woman, symbolizes the new covenant of freedom and grace. Paul explains that Ishmael, born of Hagar, was a child of the flesh, while Isaac, born to Sarah, was a child of promise—born not by human effort, but by God’s intervention. In this allegory, Paul shows that while the law leads to bondage, life in the Spirit through Christ leads to true freedom.
This idea, that God’s ways defy human expectations, is a recurring theme. Worldly qualifications like heritage, ancestry, or even religious status do not determine one’s place in God’s kingdom. As Jesus makes clear in Luke’s Gospel, those who might appear “last” by earthly standards—whether because they are gentiles or lack religious knowledge—can become “first” in responding to God. The Ninevites and the Queen of the South, with far less religious background, were able to recognize and respond to God’s call. Their stories stand as a powerful challenge to those who rely on religious knowledge alone, without cultivating a deeper spiritual openness.
The message for us today is clear: God values humility and a heart open to repentance. Religious heritage or pedigree, while important, cannot substitute for genuine faith and responsiveness to God’s call. Paul’s analogy of the two covenants teaches us to embrace the new covenant, where grace and faith lead to spiritual rebirth. The “sign of Jonah” that Jesus refers to is a call for all of us to repent, to be alert to God’s presence, and to respond with humility and openness to the deeper truths He reveals. This is the path that leads to true life, as those who seem “last” may very well become “first” in God’s kingdom.
