Maybe you remember a certain person’s last spoken words to you. I’ve experienced two unexpected deaths of close friends in the past year, and I can vividly remember the last in-person interaction and conversation I had with each of those loved ones. Their final words spoken to me weren’t carefully planned out or strategic in any way because neither of them were expecting to die. Even so, the last words they spoke to me personally carry a special weight in my heart and mind. 

I took a little time recently to read Jesus’ final spoken words to His disciples and loved ones after He resurrected from the grave (and before He ascended into Heaven). Of course, Jesus knew that although He would forever dwell in the hearts of believers everywhere through the indwelling Holy Spirit, He would no longer be present with His disciples in the flesh. Therefore, I have to believe that He carefully chose His last words to them. It seems reasonable to assume that Jesus knew His followers would really hang onto His final words and instructions to them, right? They had watched Him die and now had seen Him alive again. Furthermore, He warned them that He’d be leaving again soon, although who knows if they really comprehended that. (And can we blame them? They had learned a lot of things from Jesus over the past three years that challenged their way of thinking, and now they’d spent time with a man who they had literally watched die. Surely their minds were spinning a bit.)

It seems pretty plausible to presume that Jesus knew His words carried especially great weight in His 40 days on earth after resurrecting (and before ascending). So just what did He say? If you don’t mind, let’s first think through what He could have said. He could have said: 

• You guys have been great. I’ve really enjoyed spending the past few years with you. It’s been a pleasure!
• Thank you so much for your devotion and commitment to me and my mission. You have been admirably dedicated followers. I knew I picked the right ones.
• It’s not goodbye, it’s ‘see you later!’ I’ll see you again one day, don’t you worry!
• I literally cannot imagine what my public ministry on earth would have been like without you. Peter, you’ve brought so much spice and excitement to my life. And Mary, your love and admiration have been unmatched. You all mean so much to me.

Such nice sentiments, aren’t they? But when we take a close look at the actual words Jesus spoke between resurrection and ascension, He literally spent no time patting people on the back. He didn’t get caught up in reminiscing and commending. He also didn’t key in on His departure. No, His final words were all about action. Here are some of those words, as recorded in the Gospels and in Acts: 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” -Mark 16:15

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8

Clearly, for Jesus, this was no time to look back and smile proudly about what He and His disciples had done during their time together. He was focused on forward movement. He wanted His Good News to go forth into all the world, and He knew that His disciples were the ones who would get the ball rolling. Jesus told them to GO! Go into the world and preach, teach, baptize and make disciples. In John 21, He commissioned Peter by telling him to take care of the church. Although Jesus, who had endured a brutal trial and death, had certainly earned the right to spend His last human days just resting, relaxing and enjoying time with His loved ones, He intentionally charged them forward. 

While thinking about Jesus’ last words, I stopped to think about what my earthly father’s last words would probably be to me if he was about to die. If I had to guess, I think his parting words would probably include plenty of advice, information and reminders about how to look out for myself and how to set myself up for security and success in life. He would want to share everything he could that might help to ensure my happiness. 

And while that is all well and good, Jesus did not take the same approach. In fact, He took the opposite approach in some ways. For example, in John 21:18-19, Jesus said something to Peter about how he would die because of his work for the Lord. But overall, Jesus’ last words to His beloved disciples as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts were all laser focused on moving the gospel message forward and into the world. 

His words to the disciples are still His words to us today. Are you mostly focused on living a life of comfort, relaxation, security or self-gratification? Jesus’ goal for us is not to just live happy-go-lucky lives. He wants us to continue the mission that He gave His disciples. You don’t have to physically go into all the world and preach the gospel like the disciples did, but you can make Jesus known wherever you are. (Or maybe God is calling you to get up and go to a certain place in the world to share His Good News!) God’s call to each person is different, but one thing is the same: He calls us to action.