Jesus' Last Words

I heard Mark Lowrey, a Christian comedian say that when he was a teenager, he had a problem of talking back to his mother. His mother would say, "Mark, "You're going to let me have the last word. "I will have the last word!" He said, "I wanted to give her the last word, but something brilliant would pop into my head, and I would have to say it. It got me in more trouble when dad got home." In John 13:1-17:26, we find in these chapters the extended private teaching that Jesus gave His disciples the evening before His crucifixion. It is commonly called "The Last Supper Discourse." In Jesus' last words, He presented to His disciples, and us, these lessons:

1. A Lesson On Humility (John 13:1-15) No one was going to wash someones dirty feet in the upper room. No one was going to stoop to such a level. But Jesus grabbed a towel and basin, and began to wash the disciples feet. And His words to them was "If I then your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."(v.14) How humble are we? Do we exhibit this attitude of Christ to others? What a difference it would make in our relationships, if we did?

2. A Lesson On Holiness (John 12:6-17) When Jesus came to Peter, to wash his feet, Peter was not compliant. Was it because of his pride? Jesus told him that if He didn't allow Him to wash His feet, he would not have any part with Him. (Strong words) I see this as a lesson concerning what happens to us at baptism, and all through our lives. At baptism, we are cleansed of our sins, and able to have eternal fellowship with our Heavenly Father. All because we allow the blood of Jesus to wash our hearts clean. And all through our lives, as Christians, it is through Jesus that we maintain that purity in our hearts, and in our lives. As the old hymn asks the question" Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?" What is your answer?

3. A Lesson On Hypocrisy (John 13:18-30) The word hypocrite,means to be one way, but to act as if we are something else. Judas pretended to be a follower of Jesus, but he played with sin and lost. Jesus said to Peter, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean, but not all of you" (John adds) For He knew who would betray Him, therefore He said, "You are not all clean." Have I ever been like Judas? Have I ever sold Jesus out in my life? I believe that when I have sinned, and went against the teaching of my Lord Jesus, I have acted as a hypocrite. How it grieves the Lord when we do this. How much He loves us! How much He gave, so that we could live. Sincerity, and faithfulness is what He wants; is that what He will get from us? In these chapters are Jesus last words. Will these last words penetrate our hearts, and help us to be obedient to His will. Because as Jesus said, "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them."(v.17) (GP)