The Prime Directive: The Call of the Firstfruits—Transform and Roll Out

Growing up, one of my favorite memories was waking up early to watch Saturday morning cartoons. My favorite was Transformers, especially Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots. A central theme of the show was transformation—how the Autobots could change form and even merge to become something greater and more powerful. This idea is deeply biblical. The body of Christ operates the same way—individuals transformed by Him, coming together as one. But just as Optimus Prime led the Autobots, there is a greater Prime who leads His people—the One who is first, preeminent, and supreme in all things.

The word prime comes from the Latin prīmus, meaning "first" or "foremost." But there’s something even deeper at work. The Hebrew word Purim (פורים), the Jewish holiday celebrating divine reversal, contains the same letters as primus, just rearranged—like a transformation. Yet, it’s missing one key letter: Shin (ש). In Hebrew, Shin is often associated with God's name and is seen as a representation of the Son of Man. The absence of God’s name in the Book of Esther is not an accident—it’s a foreshadowing. Purim was a moment of hidden deliverance, but a future victory for the Jewish people is coming, and this time, God will not be concealed but fully revealed. The missing Shin points to the Son of Man, the Second Coming, and the Second Passover—all themes of revelation, restoration, and divine reversal.

From the beginning, what comes first has always carried special significance. The first harvest was dedicated to God, not as an afterthought, but as an act of faith:

"You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God" (Exodus 23:19).

Likewise, the firstborn was set apart:

"Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the firstborn of every womb among the sons of Israel, among people and animals alike; it belongs to Me" (Exodus 13:2).

The firstfruits and the firstborn represented the whole, and by offering them, God's people acknowledged that all blessings came from Him. Yet, God often overturned human expectations of prime. He chose Jacob over Esau, David over his older brothers, and ultimately, Christ as the true Firstborn over all creation.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:15-17).

Jesus holds the prime position—not as one created, but as preeminent, supreme in rank and authority. His resurrection makes Him the firstfruits of those who will be raised, the prime sacrifice, the prime fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Just as the Israelites gave their firstfruits as a guarantee of the harvest to come, Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of eternal life for those who follow Him.

This is why prime is not just about being first—it’s about position.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Seeking God first isn’t just about priorities—it’s about alignment. When He is in the prime position of our lives, everything else falls into place. Even in leadership, Christ overturned the world’s understanding of what it means to be first.

"If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

In God’s kingdom, greatness isn’t about striving for the highest position but humbling oneself in service. The prime position in God’s order isn’t about power—it’s about sacrifice.

The concept of prime is woven into creation, mathematics, and Scripture. It represents the first, the best, and the indivisible—qualities that belong to God alone. The world often overlooks this principle, but God's order has never changed: the first belongs to Him, the best belongs to Him, and those who seek Him first will never be left without.

The missing Shin in Purim points to what was once hidden but will one day be revealed—the name above all names, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. Just as God was veiled in the story of Esther, the Messiah was hidden at His first coming. But when He returns, there will be no missing letter—no absence of His name. The Son of Man, the true Firstborn, the Prime One, will be fully revealed.

Now is the time to be transformed, to take our place in His divine order, and to step forward as His people. Like the Autobots uniting to form something greater, we are called to merge as the body of Christ, moving together under the leadership of the true Prime. The time is short, and the mission is clear: seek Him first, align with His kingdom, and step into the role He has prepared for you.

First-fruits and overcomers—Transform and Roll Out!

Amen!