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Category Archives: Discipleship

Famous Last Words – Jesus’ Great Commission

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Famous Last WordsWhen my son completes his final exams this week he will finish his first year of college. My husband and I are pleased with how he has done academically these last nine months, but we are especially proud of how successfully he has navigated his first year of independence.

We took him to campus the end of August and helped him get settled in his dorm. The morning we left him, I wanted to say so many things. I felt the need to impart last words of instruction and wisdom. Things like, “study hard,” “choose friends wisely,” “be careful with your money,” and “get enough rest.” As usual Mark just responded, “I know.” Well, it seems like maybe he really did!

Jesus’ Last Words

Last week we explored Jesus’ last words on the cross, His dying words. Today, we will consider His other last words, the ones right before His ascension. Jesus had spent forty days after His resurrection teaching and instructing His disciples. But these are the words He chose to share in His last moments with them.

 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20, NLT

The Great Commission

We refer to these parting words as the “Great Commission.” Our Savior commissioned us, His disciples, with the task of making disciples of “all nations.” The wonderful truth that our Lord has “all authority” should give us the desire and the confidence to go and share Jesus’ great salvation. And as we go, we know that Jesus will be with us.

I completely agree with the Great Commission. I know I should go. I know I should make disciples. I know I should teach them everything about Jesus and His commands. I know Jesus’ parting words, but I don’t always heed them. Often a large gap exists between my “I know” and “I go.”

Jesus’ parting words are for all disciples, including you and me. How are you doing? Do you just “know” or do you “go?”

Famous Last Words – Jesus on the Cross

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Famous Last WordsDarkness shrouded the city at noon. Even the sun mourned the imminent death of the Son. Although physically crucified by the hands of Roman soldiers, Jesus went to the cross willingly, in obedience to the Father. The Jewish leaders, their mock trial, and Governor Pilate were all just tools in God’s hands.

No one could take Jesus’ life without God’s approval. Jesus had the authority to not only lay down His life, but to take it up again (John 10:18). No one took Jesus’ life. He gave His life as act of obedience to His Father. Jesus’ last words on the cross accentuate this truth.

Jesus death, Jesus dying on Cross, Jesus' crucifixion

Jesus on the cross

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46, NIV

Submitting to God

Jesus completely submitted His life and death into the Father’s hands. Jesus’ obedience provided the way of salvation for you and me. Jesus’ death provided forgiveness for our sins and opened a way for us to enter into God’s presence. Jesus’ last words on the cross have significance for every person who has ever lived. Because He was “obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8) we can have life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16, NIV

Trusting God in every situation

Jesus fully trusted the Father. He walked in complete obedience – all the way to the cross. He trusted God with the process and the pain. He trusted God with the reason and the result. He committed Himself to the One worthy of trust.

Is there a situation in your life right now you need to commit to God?

What is it hardest to trust God with?

5 Ways to Impact Your Children with Easter’s Message

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My brother, my father, & me, Easter 1969

Rich memories of childhood Easters keep popping up in my mind. I can still feel the cold metal of the folding chair as I sat with my family in the church parking lot waiting for the first rays of the sun to make their appearance. And with the sun, the somber notes of “low in the grave He lay…” became the joyous thunder of “up from the grave He arose (He arose), with a mighty triumph o’er His foes.” After prayer and singing, everyone escaped the chilly air and enjoyed pancakes and sausage in the church fellowship hall.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the impact Easter had on me as a child. I also have wonderful memories of Christmas, but Easter took root in my soul from an early age. Even then, I must have sensed the eternal significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. As parents and grandparents, we have a great opportunity – and God-given responsibility – to make sure our children understand the great truth and power of Easter.

Below are five easy, but memorable, ways to help your children understand the Easter story. Make sure you check out the links for details and more information:

1. Make a set of Resurrection Eggs – This is a fun way to “concretely” share the Easter story with your kids. You can purchase a ready-made set, but putting them together with your kids is part of the fun. Here are the instructions for making your own Resurrection Eggs.

2. Watch a movie together – One great way to start a conversation with your children about the Easter is by watching a movie that portrays the Easter story or illustrates its truths. Several great ones are available. Just choose one that is age-appropriate for the kids in your life. Here are a few suggestions:

3. Attend a Good Friday service or event – Many churches have services on Good Friday to help us remember Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. This is a great opportunity to talk about Jesus’ death and what it accomplished for us. Cochrane, the small town where we lived in Canada, had a “Cross Walk.” Members from all areas of the community met downtown and prayerfully followed the cross as a volunteer carried it through the streets.

4. Make Resurrection Cookies – Use this tasty object lesson to teach your kids about the empty tomb. Make them on Saturday night and enjoy them first thing Sunday. Here’s the recipe and how-to’s for Resurrection Cookies.

5. Experience the Easter Sunrise – Like the women who went to the tomb, be up and ready to greet the first light of Sunday morning. You can do this at an official sunrise service or in your own backyard. Friday was somber. Sunday is a celebration! (And don’t forget the pancake breakfast!)

I’d love to hear about your childhood Easter memories! Also, please share ways you celebrate Easter with your kids and grandkids.

Famous Last Words – Joseph

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I’m really excited about this new series! Each Wednesday for the next few weeks we will be looking at the dying words (or last recorded words) of some of our favorite biblical characters. We will discover what their words reveal about their faith and what we can learn from them.

Do you ever feel like God can’t make up His mind about what to do with your life? Perhaps things were going great in a specific direction, when suddenly something happened that sent your life in a completely different trajectory. Both tragedies and triumphs can bring this kind of overwhelming change. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob, surely had whiplash from all the drastic ups and downs he experienced in life. (You can read all of Joseph’s story in Exodus 37-50.)

Here’s a quick recap of Joseph’s roller coaster life:

  • He began life as his father’s favorite, receiving special gifts and preferential treatment.
  • Joseph’s jealous brothers sold him into slavery when he was a teenager and he was carried off to Egypt against his will.
  • After earning the favor of his Egyptian master, Joseph was placed in charge of the entire household.
  • Then a false accusation from his master’s wife landed him in prison.
  • After a crazy twist of circumstances that could only be orchestrated by God Himself, Joseph rose to second-in-command of all of Egypt.

Is your head spinning? Mine is!

After all the crazy twists and turns, you might expect Joseph to doubt God’s sovereign control. Let’s visit the end of Joseph’s life and hear his dying words:

Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. 24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” 26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:22-26, NIV

Through the wild ride that was his life, Joseph learned that God was faithful to keep His promises. Even when circumstances would cause the strongest faith to doubt, Joseph clung to what he knew to be true about God. Since God promised to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendents Joseph fully expected that God would bring his family out of Egypt one day. And dead or alive, he did not want to be left behind.

Have you ever experienced any huge life turns? Do you sometimes have trouble trusting God for the future?

Monday Minute in the Word – John 13:34-35

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There’s no better way to start the week than by filling up with God’s Word. So each Monday morning join me here to take a brief, but reflective look into a passage of Scripture.

When we lived in Casper, Wyoming our church had a reputation in the community. Everyone knew us as the people who loved each other. Great reputation to have, right?

If one of us ended up at the hospital, others were there. If one of us was grieving, others came to comfort. If one of us needed help, others generously gave assistance. And people noticed.

This is exactly what Jesus meant in John 13:34-35:

A new command I give you: love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. NIV

The Greek word translated as “love” is agape. This is the same word used in 1 Corinthians 13, “the love chapter.” Agape is not brotherly love or physical desire. Agape is the same kind of love God has for us. Agape is love expressed in deliberate action. It seeks the welfare of others. It is not dependent on their character or emotion, but is based on the character of the giver.

We can choose to act with agape towards another person. In fact, Jesus commanded us to love others like He loved us.

How did God show His love for us? (If you need help, read Romans 5:8.)

Aren’t you glad God’s love for us is based on His character and not ours?!