Strong spirits: last words

When someone knows they are going to die, it can give special import and meaning to the words they speak before they do. Jesus knew he was about to die, and so he spent the last evening of his life pouring key lessons into his friends, lessons to give them hope, and to give them instructions as to how to live their lives in his absence. Here are a couple...

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:14,15)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34,35)

Serve each other. Love each other. So simple. And yet, so hard to do. How are you doing with these?

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.

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