Jesus knew his time was short. He said so in John 16 when he’s telling his disciples “But now I go my way to him that sent me…” Many things Jesus does with his remaining hours don’t reflect what I (and probably you) would do with what precious little time we had left on this earth. If I could compare my list of “20 Things to Do Before I Die”, washing my friends feet isn’t one of them. Like you, I would probably spend the time I had left with my husband and children, family and friends – saying my goodbyes. I would say all the things I needed to say to my loved ones, cherishing every precious moment with them.
Yet as I read and consider these last days of Jesus life, I see him pouring out. Not on only his mother and inner circle, but he’s sending his last words through time to reach me in 2010. He’s making a statement. He’s still preparing his people. He’s telling us that time is winding up and he’s taking the time to make every word count – thousands of years later - he’s still preparing us for the cross but mostly for his return. He’s showing us how to number our days, how to redeem the time and watch the signs of the times in Matthew 24:37-51, the importance of being ready and expecting his visitation in the Parable of the Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), how to serve one another through the washing of his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-20) and issues a new commandment to “love one another” (John 13:31-35).
The message our Lord and Savior leaves us with is as fresh as it was on those last days of his time here on earth. With his life he’s spending his last days thinking of his loved ones….us! Every precious moment he has left he’s constructing a map for us to find him, a way to get to him. With his death and resurrection, he makes it all possible!
Take the time to see what message Jesus is leaving you on his last days on earth. |
