If you knew you only had a few days left to live, what would you do? Who would you talk to? What would you say to them? Maybe you would make a couple phone calls, write a few letters, mend some broken relationships. You'd probably tell family and friends how much you love them, and try and pass on what wisdom you could to your children. But what if your final words were to be commemorated and inscribed on a stone placard, put on view in a public place for all the world to see? What might you say then?
Jesus knew full well His days on earth were drawing to a close, and He had much to say! Christ taught in the temple on this day—one final, impassioned plea to the people He so dearly loved and came to save. His words carry much weight and merit further study as the last of His public proclamations, but for the sake of time, let's take a look at the main points of His message and their importance for us today:
- Jesus disregards questions about His authority. (Matt. 21:23–27; Mk. 11:27–33; Lk. 20:1–8) We cannot expect answers from God if we will not deal rightly with the truth He has already revealed! Namely, His written Word. Jesus proved His claim to authority by the Scriptures. He taught by them and upheld them; not once did He disregard them as irrelevant, though they were written hundreds of years before His arrival on earth! We need to be able to face the truth, admit we are wrong, and seek Christ sincerely—in accordance with His express will.
- Jesus illustrates the consequences of rejecting Him. (Matt. 21:28–22:14; Mk. 12:1–12; Lk. 20:9–19) "If you do not hear the well beloved Son of God, you have refused your last hope. He is God's ultimatum. Nothing remains when Christ is refused. No one else can be sent; heaven itself contains no further messenger. If Christ be rejected, hope is rejected." (Charles Spurgeon)
- Jesus fends off political, theological and religious attacks. (Matt. 22:15–40; Mk. 12:13–34; Lk. 21:20–40) In these passages, Jesus' enemies try to trap Him with loaded questions, cynical praise, and complicated riddles. Rather than trying to placate His adversaries and please His critics, Jesus turns the tables on them with such brilliance, wit, and common sense that we're told "no one dared ask Him any more questions" (Mk. 12:34). Jesus didn't cave under political pressure. He didn't buckle under the expectations of the crowd. He didn't falter in His knowledge of the truth. And neither should we!
- Jesus prompts a definitive stance on His deity. (Matt. 22:41–46; Mk. 12:35–37; Lk. 20:41–44) Here, Jesus challenges the religious leaders' misconceptions about the Christ by proving from the Scriptures both His humanity and His deity. Many today are content to label Jesus a prophet, a great teacher, or an example of morality, but nothing more than a man. When it comes down to acknowledging Him as the Son of God, there is no neutral ground. We must decide, who is Jesus? We must answer, as the disciples did, His question to all of us: "Who do you say that I am?" (Matt. 16:13–15).
- Jesus closely inspects our hearts. (Matt. 23; Mk. 12:41–44; Lk. 21:1–4) The Lord condemned the Pharisees and teachers of the law, calling them hypocrites and denouncing their pride, greed and self-indulgence. He saw through their outward righteousness to their inner wickedness. But He commended the poor widow, a stark contrast to others' pompous public displays. Men may look at our outward works, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7)!
- Jesus warns us to be ready! (Matt. 24–25; Mk. 13; Lk. 21:5–36) Finally, Jesus urges His faithful followers to watch out for false Christs, to be on guard against deception from false prophets, and to stand firm in the gospel! He cautions us not to "fall asleep" spiritually, but to be prepared. He encourages us to work according to the ability given us, for we will be called to personal account. And He highlights the importance not of worldly accomplishments and fame, but of simple, unglamorous, unseen service to the "least of these".
Jesus' final public teachings remain to this day, recorded for all in the pages of the Bible. Christ Himself spoke these words a mere three days before His death, and for that reason we ought to consider them carefully. We cling to the last words of departed loved ones—of fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, children and friends. May we let the words of the Son of God settle in our hearts and guide us; may their importance and urgency not escape us. Truly, they will never pass away!