Last will

I've recently been thinking about 'last wills and testaments.' In case you don't know a will is what someone leaves when they die and it usually is used to determine where the person's possessions will be dispersed. In modern days people write out a formal will and sign it saying that it is their last will. When they pass the persons will is read and the directions are followed accordingly.

In a last will it is a persons last thoughts and desires. They have no need to hide anything, because they'll be dead when it is read. They can distribute his/her property as desired and they can make a last 'testament' for their life. They could confess to a crime, maybe tell the truth long forgotten. They could give unspoken praise or final rebukes. Like I said, they have nothing to hide, cause they're not going to be around when it is disclosed.

I then did a quick web search of the history of wills. They've been the same pretty much through history, the only difference being the widespread use of writing. Before then wills were audibly spoken to a law-figure or close friends, who would then record or pass on the information. It reminds me of a war scene when an important character is fatally injured, he pulls his closest companion over and tells them his last will. Maybe he wants his family to be feed, maybe he wants them to move to another city, etc.

A last will is almost never sugar coated. It is the most likely place we are to find a persons true, unadulterated thoughts and desires. The things they hold most dear.

Then I got thinking about biblical things. I thought of Christ Jesus and what his 'last will' was. It is recorded in Matthew 28: 18-20, most famously called the Great Commission.

"all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefor go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This is Christ's last will and testament. Soon after this he ascends to the Father. Notice what He says. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Often Jesus speaks using analogies and parables, but here He is quite direct. No sugar coating, He has ALL authority in heaven and earth.

Also, after this He doesn't say, 'now go party' or 'go to church.' He says "Go and make disciples" I've extrapolated this to say, 'don't let my life and teachings be some knowledge you hold up in your noggin. Don't let it be something you keep to yourself. Go spread the word, Go spread the Gospel.'

I recently sang a song at my church entitled, "Go, make disciples." It goes as followed:

Go, make disciples. Baptizing them, teaching them.

Go, make disciples. For I am with you til' the end of time.

Go, be the salt of the earth.

Go, be the light of the world.

Go, be a city on a hill.

So all can see that you're serving me.

Now Go!

These song really spoke to me. It was direct, just as Christ was direct. It doesn't pose it as a possibility or a suggestion. This is Christ's command, 'Go.' Not 'stay' or 'in a while.' The line that really got me was the second to last, 'so all can see that you're serving me.' This is a huge humbling block. Again Christ isn't saying to make disciples to glorify ourselves, but rather to glorify Him. (Side thought: if people don't see you serving Him, are you serving Him?)

Anyway, Christ's last will was that we will 'Go.' So how are you going. He doesn't ask us to wait until we're 'more holy' or until we go on that mission trip. We can go here and now on our campus. We can reach our friends and family. We can meet random people on the street or in the student union. Whatever you do, all Christ says is one command. GO!

Live for Him,

Travis Ray