Jesus’ Two Most Important Words
by Abby Kelly
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
Last words—perhaps the weightiest that will ever leave your lips or enter your ear.
Tears flow, throats constrict, “The last thing I said to him was, ‘I hate you!’”
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
Last words—perhaps the weightiest that will ever leave your lips or enter your ear.
Tears flow, throats constrict, “The last thing I said to him was, ‘I hate you!’”
A mother clutches the flag to her chest, moaning softly, “His last words were, ‘I love you, Mom.’”
These words and phrases mark us. They linger. They bear more weight on our souls than myriad casual conversations. Jesus, the Living Word, never spoke flippantly. So, it might be valuable to consider some of His first and last words:
At the very beginning of His public ministry, Jesus walked slowly along the seashore. Fishermen, brawny and brown, paid Him no heed as they cast, drew and mended their nets. Suddenly, catching the eye of one sturdy character, He called out, “Come, follow me.”
Fast forward several years. Christ has risen and is about to ascend to the Father. He is commissioning His disciples, preparing them, infusing them with endurance and hope. Again, along the seashore, this time He walks side by side with Peter. Twice in the course of a short, private conversation, Jesus insists, “Follow me.” (John 21:19, 22)
If we follow Jesus, it goes without saying that we believe Him (John 6:29). And in following Him we will imitate His love for people (John 13:24). In this way, we will prove to be His disciples.
These words and phrases mark us. They linger. They bear more weight on our souls than myriad casual conversations. Jesus, the Living Word, never spoke flippantly. So, it might be valuable to consider some of His first and last words:
At the very beginning of His public ministry, Jesus walked slowly along the seashore. Fishermen, brawny and brown, paid Him no heed as they cast, drew and mended their nets. Suddenly, catching the eye of one sturdy character, He called out, “Come, follow me.”
Fast forward several years. Christ has risen and is about to ascend to the Father. He is commissioning His disciples, preparing them, infusing them with endurance and hope. Again, along the seashore, this time He walks side by side with Peter. Twice in the course of a short, private conversation, Jesus insists, “Follow me.” (John 21:19, 22)
If we follow Jesus, it goes without saying that we believe Him (John 6:29). And in following Him we will imitate His love for people (John 13:24). In this way, we will prove to be His disciples.
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