June 1-June 7

HIS FINAL WORDS
Sam Ottenlips
St. Louis, Missouri

Although often attributed to Mark Twain, history reveals that Blaise Pascal penned the following statement to a friend:

"I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had time to make it shorter."

As we read God’s inspired word this week, I remember back when my father-in-law performed our wedding. He very carefully chose his words to instruct me as to how to take care of my new wife! He concluded by saying: “By the authority invested in me by etc, etc, etc, … you may now kiss my daughter!”

Years later, he told me that our wedding would be the last he would officiate. He also said that he spent extensive time preparing his remarks, because it was his daughter’s wedding!

Here it is in nutshell…. Jesus spent a hundred or maybe a thousand years, getting ready to save the world! He chose to spend three years delivering the message of salvation. This week, we will be reading some of His final words! I can only imagine that Jesus was very selective as He chose words for what He wanted us to know. As we read the last days of His life, I encourage you to listen very carefully to what was on His heart.

P.S.

My first draft was six pages long!

[Sam Ottenlips was born in St Louis. He and his wife Maureen were married 30 years ago at the Arnold Church of Christ in Missouri. They moved to west county St. Louis and worshipped at the Lafayette Church of Christ for 20 years, before coming to the McKnight Road Church of Christ. Sam has been involved as a deacon and has served on several committees including Christian Family Services. Sam is currently the deacon responsible for Evangelism at McKnight.]