DIATHEKE: The Last Will & Testament of Christ
A
Last will and testament is not a concept that is peculiar to our modern society
alone; it is a practice that has been in existence in the ancient world as
well.
Diatheke is a Greek word which
means ‘to set out in order’ or ‘to dispose in a certain order’. It was commonly
used in the Greco-Roman world to define a legal transaction in settling an
inheritance which we know as ones last will and testament today.
Diatheke was used to translate ‘Beriyth’,
the Hebrew word for ‘covenant’. This shows that it was used in
reference to both covenant, as in an agreement between two parties with each
having obligations and benefits attached, and one’s last will and testament; an
obligation undertaken by one, which is the focus of this article.
It
is not absurd to assert that Jesus Christ had a last will and testament, and
here is why: apart from the fact that the tone of gospel writers like the
Apostle Paul and John depict Christ as a Testator, there are certain verses of
the Bible states so:
“16 for where a testament is,
there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 for a
testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all
while the testator liveth” (KJV Hebrews 9:16-17).
It
is interesting to note that even the Diatheke of Christ fulfilled the
requirements for a valid will:
·
He was of proper age (Luke 3:23)
·
He was of sound mind (Col 2:3)
·
He had something to leave and they were his to give(Mark
10:29-30)
·
He specified, with conditions attached, who his beneficiaries
were (Rom 8:17, Gal 4:4-7, James 2:5)
·
Benefits to be given away were stated in several verses of
scripture
·
His will was witnessed and written down by the
Apostles(John15:27, john 21:24)
·
The will took effect at his death (Heb 9:16-17).
·
His disciples were appointed as executors of his will(2 Cor
5:20, Mark 16:15)
The death of Christ not only rendered His Will
irrevocable in that no one can revoke a valid will once it has been effected;
it also made a way for the heirs of promise to enter into their inheritance.
As we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ; remembering his sacrifice and our inheritance in him, let us also
follow His example. There comes a time in everyone’s life when one should create a Will for the security of loved ones and preservation of one’s legacy, and no one
says it better than the wisest king who ever lived, “Good people leave an
inheritance to their children”(proverbs 13:22a).
Further reading:
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