What Would Your Last Message Be?
Good Morning Friends,
If somehow, we each knew our next day would be our last, what would you share with others? As Jesus’ time on earth was ending but also transforming, He delivered a final message and it was an appeal to people to embrace His light. Today’s NRSV translation says: “Then Jesus cried aloud”. There is a sense of urgency to the tone. Some of Jesus’ last words before His Passion are clear. Either this is a madman or God. There is no other way to interpret the words. And where does your answer take you? What Would Your Last Message Be?
Scripture: But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark. Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them.
Acts 12:24—13:5a (NRSV)
Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.”
John 12:44-50 (NRSV)
Message: That apparently sane and rational people gather together and commit to a life that Christ preached in the light of his last message is a great witness to why we should affirm Jesus’ claim as the truth. That the church exists today, its building and missions and people after nearly 2000 years is a miracle of light in a dark world…no not the institutionalism but the examples of the Body of Christ alive in a community of love. The reality is that each generation could be the last were it not for those who take up the cause of Christ. It comes as the spiritual DNA of the Father to Son and to us though the Holy Spirit. So, when Our Lord’s time on earth was ending, He delivered this final time of teaching and it was an appeal to people to embrace His light and love. These words, emphatically spoken, provide a climactic summary of His ministry designed to free us. In these verses, Jesus affirms His union with the Father, along with a message of hope for tomorrow and light for our darkness. He also states the importance of really believing and sharing in the great commandment to love. So, friends, if somehow, I knew my next devotional would be my last, I would I say to you that God’s love is the light of eternal life…embrace it and share it in the darkness of the world for it is the way to believe and experience a wonderful and abundant life in each day.
Pray we not lock ourselves up in the darkness. Pray we have faith to trust Jesus so we might trust the Father. Pray we experience salvation in the invitation to experience the love, joy and peace that the Trinity share. Pray the darkness in our lives be dispelled. Pray we never become accustomed to the dark. Pray Jesus though the Spirit with the knowledge of the Father enlighten our minds and give us wisdom and insight of spiritual truth. Pray Jesus transforms the darkness of sin in our lives, even the darkness of death. Pray we see by His light the way of pardon and purpose. Pray we find our way out of the dark night of the soul and have the reassurance we need to journey into an uncertain world proclaiming the good news. Pray we look for opportunities to love and live into them believing even when the world is full of denial and darkness. Pray we realize that we cannot see God’s light because it is within us. Pray this light in us is never extinguished but shines on with hope.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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