Famous Last Words
What would you say if you knew you were about to speak to someone for the last time? As I ponder this question, a scene from pop culture comes to mind. In the popular Harry Potter film series, Lupin and Kingsley have just fought a group of death-eaters as they transported Harry to the Burrow, a place of refuge. To prove their identity to one another, as the enemy had been impersonating those in their order, they speak Dumbledore’s last words to one another: “Harry is the best hope we have. Trust in him.” Last words are meant to be memorable and instructive.
In my own life, I can recall a last moment that will always stick with me. One summer a few years back, my husband and I went to visit a spiritual mentor. This pastor had discipled us, encouraged us, and married us. He was like a spiritual father and having moved away, we hadn’t seen him in several years. In visiting he and his wife in their home, we reminisced about shared ministry and what the Lord had been doing in and through us. Our children were with us during this visit. As we left, he laid hands on them and prayed. Not long after, he went to be with the Lord, but we will treasure that time and never forget his blessing.
In the book of Acts, Luke recalls the last words of Jesus. These words are meant to be remembered and lived out. In His last words, He leaves us with a mission and the promise of the power to fulfill it:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
This closing remark from Jesus before He ascends into heaven, was meant to focus us on the goal of the Christian life, to tell the world about His offer of salvation. Though we receive many benefits for trusting in Christ’s atonement for our sins, freedom from sin, a restored relationship with God, and an eternal hope, He reminds us to not keep this good news to ourselves.
God Empowered
If you’ve ever determined to share the gospel with a non-believing friend, co-worker, or family member, I’m sure you’ve prayed and thought out beforehand the right words. We might even unintentionally experience pressure or nerves, in our great desire is that they find the same peace in Christ that we have found. This verse in Acts explains that we don’t use our own strength. Jesus promises His followers that the Holy Spirit would come upon them, bringing divine power and ability to proclaim God’s good news. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 adds more to our understanding of this God-driven message:
…our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction
We are the mouthpiece. We say the words, but the power and the Spirit bring conviction, a firm belief, a convinced mind, and a sureness that can be trusted. If God has chosen someone to come into His family of faith, He will bring confidence in the received message.
The Witness
In His last words, Jesus calls us to be a witness but to what? A clue is found in the sections before and after this verse. In the opening lines of Acts, Luke records how Jesus presents Himself to His followers with many proofs that He was indeed alive[1]. Then later in the chapter, Peter calls for a replacement apostle to be appointed, one that had been with them “beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must be a witness of this resurrection[2].”
God calls us to witness God’s redemption story, the good news of the gospel, of which the resurrection was a part. As Paul teaches us, if there was no resurrection, there is no salvation and the faith we have in God’s work is in vain[3]. The gospel story unfolds from Genesis on, each book revealing more of God’s plan to restore humanity to Himself because of our fall in the garden. The climax of this story is found in Jesus, His willing sacrifice on our behalf. The resurrection proves that all He claimed was true and that He will come again as a conquering King, to restore the earth and free us from our sin nature, to live forever with Him.
If you have the time, look up the following accounts of Jesus’ last words in the gospels, writers who focus on other aspects of His message:
· Luke 24-we are to proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ and the forgiveness of sins in His name
· Matthew 28-we are to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Trinity, and teach them how to live
· Mark 16-we are to go into the world and preach to all creation
· John 20-As the Father has sent Christ to proclaim peace to us, He is sending us to share this same opportunity to others
All these accounts are synonymous with the last words of Jesus as recorded in Acts.
To the Ends of the Earth
Jesus last word’s give one final indicator of where we are to witness—everywhere! In the book of Acts we see the gospel spread in Jerusalem, and then through God’s providence, as the persecuted church is dispersed to the surrounding regions, eventually to Rome, which was the “end of the earth” in the ancient world as the ruling superpower.
In the modern world, we are more connected than ever. Advances in technology like the internet and Google translate make it easy to communicate with anyone at any time. “From every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages[4]” will make up the people of God and worship the Lamb on His throne. Who is God sending? You! You are his minister of reconciliation[5]. He has determined where you live so you can reveal the God to those around you[6].
Ask yourself these questions as you reflect on the last words of Jesus:
· Are you trusting in the power of God and the work of the Spirit as you testify about what Christ has done?
· Are you sharing the elements of the gospel? The creation of the world, fall of man, coming of Christ, atonement on the cross, resurrection from the dead, ascension into heaven, and His promise to return to judge the nations and restore all things?
· Are you leveraging where you live and who you’re with, knowing God is using you to fulfill His great commission, that the good news of Jesus would go to the ends of the earth?
Trust God as He opens hearts to receive and does what only He can do. The fact that He uses us in sharing His plan of salvation is a privilege. Let us be humble and faithful to live out the last words of Christ.
[1] See 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 for details on His post-resurrection appearances
[2] Acts 1:22
[3] 1 Corinthians 15:15
[4] Revelation 7:9
[5] 1 Corinthians 5:11-21
[6] Acts 17:26-27
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