Last Words

SCRIPTURE:
John 13:1 CSB - Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

OBSERVATION:
If you knew today would be your last day to live, what would you say or do? What final words and actions would you share with those closest to you?

In John chapter 13, we see Jesus sharing His final words with His disciples. He knew His time to depart had come—and He loved His disciples to the very end.

What an epitaph! Would this be said of you and me when we die?

Tragically, many may end up with an epitaph like this:

May this not be the case in our lives. May we follow the example of Jesus—and love to the end.

APPLICATION:
We can learn three lessons from Jesus about how He approached His final days and moments here on earth.

1) Wash Feet - Jesus gave us the greatest example of loving to the end—not just by speaking about it, but by demonstrating it.

John 13:4-5 CSB – "So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him."

Serve those you love—even if it means washing stinky, dirty feet.

2) Follow His Example - After washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “Follow my example.”

John 13:12-17 CSB – "When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, 'Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.'"

If our Lord and Master washed our feet, should we not follow His example? We must be quick to show unconditional love.

Remember: a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

3) Love As You Are Loved - How will those around us know we loved them to the end? Jesus tells us:

John 13:34-35 CSB – "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

This is the key—not just to a clever epitaph, but to leaving behind words and actions we will truly be remembered for.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for loving me to the end. At times, I imagine it must be difficult, yet Your unfailing love says otherwise. May I do as You did—love to the end. Help me wash others’ feet and love as You love. May the world and those closest to me see that I am Your disciple by the love I display. Work in me that love so it may be shown to all.