Famous Last Words

2 Timothy 2:22-26

 

Sometimes people are recognizable by their last words as much as they are by their physical appearance. It may not even be the last thing they ever say, only in a sense it is. See if you can recognize any of these famous “last words”. The correct answers are at the bottom of the page. (Don’t cheat now.)

 

• I am not a crook.
• What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
• Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.

 

At the time that he wrote 2 Timothy, Paul was nearing the end of his life. Like a common criminal, he was chained, in a cold, dark dungeon waiting for his execution.

 

Knowing that his days were numbered, he wanted to make the most of his time. He wanted to impart his most important wisdom to those who were most important to him.

 

Therefore, he wrote this letter to his “son”, Timothy. He wrote with passion, conviction and purpose. Pay close attention to these final words.

 

²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone,

able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.     NIV

 

Gently instruct, in the hope that God will lead them to the truth; not hammering it down their throat; not making your point so that you are right and they are wrong; but being invitational and unconditional in your friendship while expecting nothing from them, but everything from God.

 

Keep in mind the most famous of last words spoken by our Savior Jesus, “It is finished”.

What he did on the cross for all who will accept him makes it possible for us to know him and spend eternity with him. But it also makes it possible for us to share with others his love and message.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the correct answers:

• Richard Milhous Nixon denies involvement in the 1972 Watergate scandal.
• Paul Newman who starred in the role of a prisoner in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke. Upon speaking this line he was immediately shot.
• Red Saunders the UCLA football coach in 1950. Sorry Packer fans Vince Lombardi didn’t originate this quote.

 

(If God has spoken to you, or touched your heart through this devotional, please feel free to share it with others.)

 

 

Here are some more famous “last words”. See how many you know.

 

1. I’ll be back
2. Old soldiers never die; they just fade away
3. “You won't have ____ to kick around anymore.”
4. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
5. “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” 
6. Wow! I’m going to heaven.
7. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit

 

 

1. Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator
2. General Douglas McArthur in his farewell address to Congress
3. Richard Nixon in 1962 after losing the race for Governor of California
4. Muhammad Ali before his fight with Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston
5. Albert Einstein
6. Bo Diddley on his deathbed after hearing the song, “Walk Around Heaven”
7. Jesus on the cross as written in Luke 23:46