The Last Thing Jesus Said

If someone asked you what was the very last thing Jesus said during his time on earth, what would you say? This Sunday churches around the world remember and celebrate the final thing he said and how it came true. Often the last thing, that final thing, those final words someone has to say are pretty important. And Jesus’ final words were just that. For his people, for the Church, they summarized both what we’re supposed to do here and how we can manage to do it. Here’s what he said:

“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

Then he literally lifted into the sky and into the clouds.
This would’ve been an amazing moment for his disciples and a sad and scary one. They’d been following Jesus for over three years. They’d been through so much together. They’d watched him die and buried him and then he came back to life. Then they had just 40 short days with him and now he was leaving them. Now they’d be followers without someone to follow.

Do you ever read the gospels and feel envious of the disciples who got to hang out with Jesus around the campfire and in boats and on long walks?

Do you ever feel like that? Like you’re wandering aimlessly? Like if only God would just show himself, if only Jesus would just appear and tell you what to do then everything would be okay? Do you ever read the gospels and feel envious of the disciples who got to hang out with Jesus around the campfire and in boats and on long walks? Just think how sad and scared and shell-shocked they must have felt at the prospect of Jesus leaving them. Earlier Jesus tells them he will leave them and says, “sorrow has filled your heart.” Jesus knew they’d feel that way. But get this, he told them that his leaving would actually be to their advantage.

That doesn’t sound right, does it? It sounds almost wrong to say. How could it be better for Jesus to leave? How could the life of the Christian now be better than it was for the disciples eating breakfast on the beach with Jesus? But Jesus said it (John 16:7).

he ensured that no matter when or where we found ourselves he would always be with us

So why would it be to their advantage? Well, because by his leaving the Helper, the Holy Spirit, could come. He said he’d ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to be with them in his stead (John 14:16). He said the Holy Spirit would be with them and in them and that he’d speak to them everything that Jesus wanted to tell them. With the Holy Spirit with them it would be as though Jesus himself were right there with every one of them every minute of every day no matter where they were on the planet, together or apart.

Jesus knew the disciples would be lost without him. He knew you and I would be lost without him right here with us. And by sending the Holy Spirit he ensured that no matter when or where we found ourselves he would always be with us. Always teaching us, guiding us and empowering us to walk out our purpose and mission as his witnesses on the earth, while we await his glorious return.

That was the last thing Jesus said. And this Sunday we’ll remember and celebrate that just as Jesus said he would, he sent the Helper to his people (Acts 2:1-4). Let’s celebrate and welcome him and receive him afresh this Sunday and always.