Last Days Lessons

Last night while working on lessons plans, I watched an episode of the obviously unrealistic but always hilarious World War 2 satire Hogan’s Heroes.  In a “close to closing” scene, the bold Colonel Hogan asked the bumbling Sergeant Schulz, “If you knew for sure that a bomb would soon blow up this building we’re trapped in, would you want to know exactly when?” 

 

Schulz was too shaken to give a sure answer, but sometimes we think we might like to know how long we have left.  Let’s just say we did.  Would we live today differently than yesterday?  The answer ought to be “not at all,” for we should each moment “making the most of every opportunity”(Col 4:5) and “doing all we do to the glory of God”(1 Cor 10:31), but rare is the soul who would make no adjustment in action or attitude if this was his last day on earth.  Even Jesus, who needed to change nothing in word or deed, seemed to have a heightened sense of urgency as His time on this planet rushed toward its end.

Since Jesus knew His days were few, what did He do?  He spoke truth to all He met.  It’s during Holy Week that we find Him pronouncing seven woes for sinners, announcing sure signs of the end times, reaffirming the resurrection, and proclaiming the two greatest commandments.  Jesus also spent time with those He loved.  They sat with Him in the temple, walked with Him around the town, and reclined with Him during dinner—especially at the special meal of the Passover. Their time together was intimate and individual as Jesus avowed His devotion (Greater love has no man than this”Jn 15:1 ), stated His desires (“Abide in me”Jn 15:4), offered His comfort (“Let not your hearts be troubled”Jn 14:6), and humbly washed their filthy feet(“He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet”Jn 13:5).  And through it all Jesus made sure to talk much to His Father—in the middle of His busy days (Jn 12:28) and in the deep of His darkest night(Jn 17:1).  As the shadow of the cross grew shorter and shorter, Jesus lived each hour with passion and purpose as one who knew who He was, whose He was, and why He was.

In case you were wondering, Hogan and Schulz managed to escape an untimely end and lived to see another day.  If God chooses to give you tomorrow, spend its moments wisely and well. Speak truth to all you meet.  Spend time with those you love.  And talk much with your Heavenly Father.

Sounds like a good way not just to spend our last days, but our every days.