ONE WEEK TO LIVE

I took an ethics class many years ago where the teacher gave us an exam with only one question: “What would you do differently if you had only one week to live?” That’s a pretty interesting question; don’t you think? I remember some of the responses that were offered by the students ranged from traveling around the world, to calling old friends and reconciling broken relationships. How would you live your life if you only had one week to live? Would you do the things you’ve always wanted to do but were too afraid to do them? Would you take a whirlwind trip to parts unknown? Would you do some last minute sinning or maybe some last minute praying? How would you feel? Would you be angry with God? Would you be afraid? Would you be sad? Would you be full of hope or full of despair? What would you do differently?

Beginning in Chapter 13 of John’s Gospel, we read about the last week of Jesus’ life before He was crucified. It’s interesting to see how he spent the last few days of His life. John 13:1 says, “Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”

Knowing that He would soon die, Jesus chose to demonstrate His love by becoming a servant. He washed the disciple’s feet; He comforted them in John 14 and assured them of their home in heaven; He encouraged them in chapters 15 and 16; and prayed for them in John 17. Then after He had spent His last week giving, serving, and ministering, He died for them on the cross. That was His purpose… That was the reason for which Jesus lived. We read His mission statement in Matthew 20:28, “...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I asked at the beginning of this blog, “What would you do if you had one week to live?” The truth is, we do have a week to live… we have this week… It may or may not be our last week, but regardless we should live as though it is. And we should live every week fulfilling our purpose… What is that purpose? Serving, loving, giving and ministering the grace of Jesus Christ…

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