Last Words
Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash.
If you were going away, what would be your final speech to those whom you love? What would you want your loved ones to know? What would you want them to be? What would you want them to do?
Our last words reflect what we value and what we see as essential and of utmost importance.
In John’s Gospel, in chapter fourteen, Jesus was leaving his disciples to be crucified, to die, to raise again, and to ascend. Jesus was going away and he wanted to exhort his disciples to love God and to keep his commandments. Jesus wanted to comfort his disciples with the hope and assurance of the presence of the Holy Spirit who the Father would send in his name to help them, to comfort them, to dwell with them, to be in them, and to give them life.
Jesus’ disciple Judas, the son of James, wanted to know: “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22, ESV). Jesus answered, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23, ESV).
Some of Jesus’ last words to his disciples was encouragement to love him and to keep his word. When we love Jesus and keep his word, God is present with us and God makes his home with us. We are never alone when we love God and keep his commandments.
May we receive and obey Jesus’ last words to us to love him and obey his word, and may we discover God’s intimate presence as he abides with us as we live for him.
A Collect for Mission II: “O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Begin the month with a #dailydevotional. I have created a #devotional book for each month, a devotional for every day of the year, and offering them for #free by subscribing. Get a link to #Grow365: #May2022—A #Daily Devotional here: robbiepruitt.com.
Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash.
