Legacy

“My prayer is not for [my twelve disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”                                                         John 17:20-21

It wasn’t the first time the three of us – a particular young man, my wife, and I – had enjoyed a post Bible study game of cards. The Bible study was over and most of the participants had gone home to get some sleep before work the following day. One young man, however, stayed behind to play a couple hands of cards with us. We cleaned up the snacks left by the group and sat down to play the game. As the game progressed, the lighthearted ribbing ramped up. Laughter filled the room. 

The hand was over. Our young friend had won. “That’s what I’m talking about!” he exclaimed. “That’s what I want on my tombstone; ‘I won!’”

We laughed that night. But the remark has remained on my mind. What would I like written on my tombstone?

I remember asking that very question to the teenagers in our youth group when I served as Director of Youth Ministries. “What would you like written on your tombstone one day?” Obviously, there are questions begin that question. “How would you like to be remembered?” “What legacy would you like to leave behind?” “How, then, must you live?”

Recently, a Christian organization, Worship Anew (worshipanew.org) asked Senior adults about their legacy . . . what they would like to leave behind for the next generation. The top response – 60 % – was “Making an impact that will last after you die.” 40% responded, “Passing your values to younger generations.” Only 14% responded “Passing along your faith with others.”

We are in the season of Lent, a time when we reflect on Jesus’ passion . . . His willingness to suffer and die in our stead upon the cross. We keep our eyes fixed on the victory He won as He rose victorious over death on that first Easter Sunday. In the midst of His walk to Calvary, Jesus prayed. His prayer is recorded in John 17. And in His prayer, Jesus prayed for us . . . for you. He prayed for a legacy . . . that God would keep His followers in His name, faithful to the end. He prayed that God would keep them safe from the evil one. Now, Jesus was sending them into the world. “Just as you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (vs. 18). Jesus was praying for His 12 disciples, to be sure. But He prayed, too, “for those who will believe in me through their word.” The legacy Jesus desired – the prayer He prayed – was that everyone would be saved. His greatest desire is that His followers would share the Good News of salvation “so that the world may believe that you sent me.”

Jesus’ prayer begs a question. What legacy would I like to leave behind? No matter one’s age, that question has an impact on how I live each day, doesn’t it? Jesus’ desire was that His followers would pass along their faith with others. Is that my desire, too? If so, where do I begin? Across the hall? Next door? In my community?  Everywhere I go?

Wherever we begin, wherever we go, we never go alone. Hear Jesus as He concludes His prayer. “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (vs. 26)

There is no greater legacy than that!

May God bless you to be a blessing,

Pastor Tim

During this Lenten season, check out Jesus’ prayer in John 17. 

• How can you pray this legacy prayer over your family? Your friends? Your community? 
• What comfort and courage do you find knowing your legacy is Jesus’ legacy . . . that you are not alone?