What Would You Like To Share Before You Die?
Good Morning Friends,
You may have heard the stories of the last words of famous people. Here are a few for you to ponder this morning:
William Henry Seward, architect of the Alaska Purchase, was asked if he had any final words. He replied, “Nothing, only ‘love one another.'”
And according to Steve Jobs’ sister Mona, the Apple founder’s last words were, “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.”
Charles Gussman was a writer and TV announcer, who wrote the pilot episode of Days of Our Lives, among other shows. As he became ill, he said he wanted his last words to be memorable. When he daughter reminded him of this, he gently removed his oxygen mask and whispered: “And now for a final word from our sponsor—.”
Wilson Mizner is best known for his bon mots, though he was a successful playwright. He’s known for the line, “Be nice to people on the way up because you’ll meet the same people on the way down.” When Mizner was on his deathbed, a priest said, “I’m sure you want to talk to me.” Mizner told the priest, “Why should I talk to you? I’ve just been talking to your boss.”
As he was dying, Alfred Hitchcock said, “One never knows the ending. One has to die to know exactly what happens after death, although Catholics have their hopes.”
Basketball great “Pistol” Pete Maravich collapsed during a pickup game. His last words: “I feel great.”
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. He wanted people to believe. The 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 You Like To Share Before You Die?
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: Doris Day and Tim Conway died this week and I suppose it is natural to begin to think about our own mortality. With this reality in mind Keanu Reeves was recently asked by Stephen Colbert what he thinks happens when we die. After thinking about it for a moment Reeves said: “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.” We too must answer the question realizing that apparently sane and rational people gather together and commit to a life that Christ preached in the light of his last message about eternal life. They are a great witness to why we should affirm Jesus’ claim as the truth for it is hard to maintain something that is not true for nearly 2000 years. That the church exists today, its building and missions and people after a couple of thousand 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 as a way of being connected to something eternal. 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.
And So, in the Book of John the story is told how Christ prepares his disciples for what is to come. The main point in the whole book is that Jesus is the Son of God and that those who believe in Him have eternal life. Now, the context is that Jesus is preparing His disciples for His death. But they do not see it coming but all this will make sense to them when they look back at it in hindsight. So, there’s a point of tension and a reason for what Christ says next. These men did believe but they had to weigh their options; they had to count the cost. Picture them sitting late at night believing but hesitant to tell people for fear of being stoned and robbed and lose everything and even shame their whole family. With Jesus telling them of his death that had to have doubts. For the Messiah was one to live. And so, the question is whether following Jesus is worth the cost. But then He dies, and that seems to answer the question about whether he was the Messiah. But then the resurrection happens, and Christ promises to return and to make His dominion clear over all creation. All this is dramatic stuff and a bit of a rollercoaster ride. And so, the message is that Christ will allow unbelievers to prosper now, but ultimately, He will judge them. Christ allows believers to suffer now, but ultimately, He will save us. Christ deals patiently with His disciples in our unbelief and works proactively to bring us out of darkness. 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 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 sometimes because it is within us. Pray this light in us is never extinguished but shines on with hope.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 