Recently, I taught another Legacy Writing workshop. The last session of the workshop includes ‘How to Write Your Obituary.’ Writing our obituary is a great gift we give to our children and grandchildren. We include the turning points of our lives they probably don’t know about. So the obituary becomes a focus of our memorial service and a piece of our legacy we leave behind.
Did you know that Jesus gave us his obituary? Through the writings of the Apostle John that recorded the last days of Jesus’s earthly life. Let’s look at the topics Jesus chose to leave with us — his written legacy for his final week.
The Purpose of Life. This is the theme of a good obituary. To write the story with a specific theme that readers and listeners can understand. Jesus shared the theme of his life in John 14:6:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
There are many ways to find Jesus. Some folks find him through scripture and proper teaching of the Word of God. Others find Jesus through music or a well-written article. Some folks need to struggle through difficult circumstances before they reach out to find Jesus.
But Jesus reminds us that the way to God only comes through knowing the Father’s Son. We can only be accepted by God through acceptance of Jesus. This was the purpose of his life. To come to earth, communicate with people about who he was, become our sacrifice through his death on a horrible cross, then prove who he was by walking alive out of his tomb.
Accomplishments. A good obituary includes the accomplishments of life. Schools attended. Jobs where we’ve worked. Awards earned. Books written. The families we created and supported.
Jesus includes his accomplishments in John 17:4-8:
- Bringing glory to God
- Completing his mission
- Choosing and training his disciples
- Making sure his followers know God
- Leaving them with the words of God
- Making sure his followers know God accepts them
- Completing his life with death and the resurrection
Acknowledging the End. Except in rare cases where people suddenly die, many folks recognize that the end is near. Sometimes they see past the earth and exist for a few days or hours in what I call the ‘in between stage.’ They may see or hear angels. They sometimes converse with folks who have already passed. My mother even saw our family dog, so now we know for sure that animals are in heaven.
Jesus acknowledged his end in a variety of scenarios recorded in scripture. But one of his clearest statements is found in John 17:1, “Father, the time has come.”
Prayer Requests. In an obituary, we sometimes call these requests the ‘Hopes and Dreams’ for those left behind. A type of comforting passage for the friends and family hearing the last words of their beloved. It can be almost like a prophecy or a blessing. Always positive. Statements that live beyond the grave.
The final requests Jesus spoke are found in John 17:11-26:
- His disciples have to stay in the world without him.
- All Jesus has belongs to God, so his disciples also belong to God.
- Protection from God himself, so they will see God’s power.
- Unity among them, so they will imitate the unity Jesus has with the Trinity.
- The fulfillment of scripture in their lives and in their group.
- The answer to prayer that none, except Judas, were lost.
- The full measure of joy.
- They would know the words of God.
- They no longer belong to the world, because they belong to God.
- Protection from satan and demons.
- Sanctification — transforming them into the image of Christ.
- They now have a mission — being sent into the world with the message of God’s love.
- Prayers not only for those current disciples, but also for all of us who would someday believe.
- Such a unified community spirit that the whole world would see it. ‘They will know we are Christians by our love.’
- Someday, they would be with Jesus in heaven.
- They would have no doubt that Jesus was and is indeed the son of God.
- The Spirit of Jesus would continue with them.
- The same love God has for Jesus would be in his followers.
The Final Message. The ending of a story is powerful. It wraps up the story in a nice bow and completes the character arcs. So the final message we leave, the final blessing or prayer we give, becomes a legacy in itself.
Jesus recites his final message in the long passage of John 14:1 – 15:4. Jesus comforts his disciples on the eve of his impending death. He reassures them that although he is physically leaving, his Spirit would be with them always. They would become his emissaries throughout the world. They would grow like grape vines and find their strength in him. And his love and joy would never leave them. I encourage you to read this passage, especially during Holy Week.
So as you write your obituary, consider these five topics. Write it for the sake of those you will leave behind. Write it with love and joy in your words and in your mind. Write it to leave a final legacy of a life well-lived. Write it because words, especially your final words, have the power to change a life.
©2025 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
Image Attribution: Pexels / Pixabay
Sometime in 2025, I plan to complete my book ‘How to Write Your Legacy.’ Look for it. In the meantime, check out my website for other books you might like to read.
I agree with the importance of an obit and other pieces written about what we believe. In this era we are being inundated with the philosophical nonsense coming out of the mouths of our political psychopaths and others with materialistic values. Making some who claim to be Christian only sycophants to a false god. That is not what I stand for and regularly say so. I stand for the teachings of Jesus Christ, who tells us to love and value each other.
Yes, the importance of the obit can definitely share what we believe in and what we stand for. Thanks for the comment.
Rebecca, this is great! an excellent article! I never thought of John 14-17 as an obituary, but it certainly does contain teaching that Jesus wanted his disciples and us to remember. Thank you for the enrichment.