LifeLink Devotional

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

The last words of people we admire tend to be important to us. Whatever grandpa said to us before he died sticks with us for the rest of our life. Famous people have said some really important things before they died, while others have said crazy stuff.

Elvis Presley’s last words were, “I’m going to the bathroom to read.” Not necessarily words to live by.

Henry Ford said, “I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Winston Churchill spoke bluntly and said, “I’m bored with it all.”

Movie star Joan Crawford yelled at her housekeeper, “Don’t you dare ask God to help me.”

Last words can reveal our hopes, our disbeliefs, and our beliefs. Last words may be an indication of what is most important to us. Last words can expose the true nature of our heart.

While Jesus was nailed to the cross and had breath in Him, he spoke seven times, and each one reveals His nature of love and His purpose for coming to earth. We get a clear picture of the Redemptive purpose of God in the last words of Jesus. Starting tomorrow, through Good Friday, we will look into the last words of Jesus and discover love and hope.

Here’s a thought for you from something Jesus said before being nailed to the cross. He is standing before Pilate who is questioning Him about what He has done that is deserving of the judgment requested by the Jewish religious leaders. Listen to what Jesus says in John 18:36-37^.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus declares three things:

1. He is the King of a Kingdom that is not of this world.
2. He came to this earth for the sole purpose of declaring the truth of this spiritual kingdom to the people of the world.
3. Everyone who is called to His kingdom will listen to His voice and live according to the principles of the spiritual kingdom and not to build an earthly kingdom.

Think on these things. Review your standing with Christ. Contemplate His calling and how you are living in obedience to it.

Listen to the voice of Jesus. He alone is the voice of truth.

Pastor John