What would you do if you knew you only had one day left on earth?
It’s a question you’ve probably thought about before.
Although it’s morbid and uncomfortable to talk about most people have a preferred way to die.
Most would choose to spend it with friends and family doing something they love.
Some long for adventure and are willing to try for one more adrenaline rush before cashing in their chips.
Still some people just want to be understood and make sure before leaving earth they give us a great quote.
Here are a few famous last lines:
“That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted.” –Lou Costello, Comedian
“I am about to — or I am going to — die: either expression is correct.” – Dominique Bouhours, French grammarian
“This is the last of earth—I am content.” –John Quincy Adams, Sixth U.S. President
“My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go.” –Oscar Wilde, Irish Playwright
Then there’s Karl Marx, he is credited with saying to his housekeeper, “Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.”
________
Again I ask you, how would you spend your last day?
Jesus lived a perfect life and we have an account of exactly how he spent his last day.
He was with his closest friends. His disciples. He sat down for one last meal with them.
In John 13 we have a description of how it all went down.
- He saved them a seat at his table
- He served them
- He sent them out
Jesus was showing us exactly how to live life. Not just your final days but all the days he gives us on earth.
He wants us to live life His way, the Kingdom way.
We save a seat for EVERYONE.
God’s grace and forgiveness is for everybody.
It doesn’t matter what a person’s background is or even what they plan on doing with it once they receive it. What matters is that there’s a seat saved for them at God’s table.
Jesus saved a seat for the man who betrayed him. Judas sat at the table with the other disciples. I’m pretty sure we can save a seat for people who don’t look like, talk like and act exactly like us.
We serve people.
No job is too small for us. No job is beneath us. We show our love for one another when we serve one another.
John 13.3 says, “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So…”
Fill in the blank with me.
So he…
Sat back and watched as the disciples worshiped him?
Played a game of Bible answer man and answered their most difficult questions?
No, not at all.
“So… he wrapped a towel around his waist and began to wash the disciples feet.” (John 13.4-5)
That’s pretty amazing isn’t it? He knew he had come from God and had ultimate authority so… he served others.
We get to serve too.
Finally, Jesus did one last thing.
He sent them.
“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13.15)
We have an example to follow. We have a blueprint. We love and serve people period.
Jesus went on to say we’d be recognized as his followers by the way we love.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13.35)
- We save a seat for EVERYONE.
- We serve others
- Because we’ve been sent by him.
This is his invite to us. To live life his way. The Kingdom way.
Loved this tweet from @EugeneCho “In his last days, Jesus washed dirty feet, ate with misfits (including a man who He knew would betray Him) & forgave His enemies.”