The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ

While listening to a sermon this past week I began to think about the title of this article. I am sure I am not the first to think of it, and I will definitely not be the last. But I believe, if you will give me a minute of your time, it is worth your consideration.

Since God came in the flesh (John 1:14), it seems that His time here on earth would be most significant. And since He exited this realm after only about 33 years, it seems even more important that if He left something behind that mankind would be even more obliged to listen. This is, of course, where the value of the New Testament comes in.

When do men write their wills? They write them during their lifetime. In fact, they basically live their will until the time comes to draft the document that will continue their wishes long after they are gone. So Jesus Christ, the Son of God, wrote the initial remarks of His will during His lifetime. We can see this in the work of the four gospels. We can see how the preliminary teaches of Christ set the precedent for the complete will that would be read aloud afterward to the human family.

When are the terms of the will articulated to the beneficiaries? They are communicated after the benefactor's death. This explains the time and the content of the rest of the New Testament. It makes perfect sense, that the complete terms of Christ's will would only be disclosed after His death, burial and resurrection. Jesus left the Holy Spirit behind to continue to unveil the terms of His will until the reading of such will was completed. These terms are now documented in the pages of your New Testament.

What is different about Christ's will that separates it from all others? Most wills deliver physical blessings to those who are qualified and who will meet the terms and conditions that are found therein. The inheritance is only temporary, and eventually whatever one receives will either decay or be given to someone else. Christ's last will and testament delivers to each person an incorruptible inheritance, reserved in heaven, which will never fade away. There is not another will; past, present, or future, that can bless men eternally.

The New Testament is much more than an historical document. It is more than a guidebook for Christian living. It is more than an ethical foundation for a peaceful society. The New Testament is the last will and testament of the one and only Son of God. It makes sense, then, that we would make sure to be present when the terms and blessings of His will are being publicly disclosed.

There will be a public reading of the last will and testament of Jesus Christ this Sunday at 247 Pulaski St., Lawrenceburg, Tn, 38464. I hope to see you there!

"For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive." ~ Hebrews 9:16-17

"And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." ~ Heb. 10:10