Your Last Words

In Seattle, there is a reporter/communicator I’ve listened to for a few years. Rachel Belle. Her reports come across on various radio programs, “You Can Ring My Belle” or via her podcast, “Your Last Meal.” Her podcast focuses on interviewing celebrities, and they talk about what they had at their last meal. It’s unique. Fun. Engaging.

But I had a thought this morning, and she came to mind. Your Last Words. I’ve waited to hear what someone mumbles when their last breath will soon arrive. If you’ve never read a famous person’s Last Will and Testament, you should check out the history and find out what someone thought essential to share in the end. We even think about their legacy left after they are gone.

Someone is facing execution. Everyone waits for their last words. Will they confess? Do they have some encouraging words for the audience?

I preached a funeral for an atheistic grandfather whose last words were, “I’m going to hell. I’ll see you there.” My message was not about him, but to the family who lived with his views. They needed another voice, and better words.

This made me think about our last communication with those we care for. What did you have to say you felt was important enough to share. In today’s world, your social posts will last for an eternity of days and years. Backed-up in the cloud. Recalled in an instant.

Yesterday, I shared my last public message with my church family before vacation. What if this was my last set of words to share? Were they impactful? Did they speak something important?

When you reach specific points in life, you realize how important your words are. Say them well.

Last Seven Sayings

Many have written about the last sayings of Jesus when he was on the cross. Dean Jones uses his acting skills in “St. John in Exile” to point out something very well.

“My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me”

Was Jesus asking for himself, or was he using these words to point us to a reference about him? Actually, these are the opening words of a psalm of David that are actually words of prophecy.

To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not;
and in the night season, and am not silent.
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
(Psalms 22:1-3 KJV)

Read the entire Psalms and see if you can’t find the thrust of words that tell us important things about Jesus and his death. Maybe this should help us. Think about those last words you said. Are they enough to make a difference? Or will they be the arrows that will pierce and wound the hearers?

It’s your call.