Skip to main content

267. The Upper Room Discourse

An Overview
John chapter 14 through chapter 16
Key Verse: "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you."
John 15:15

 The Seder meal is almost over. There is a sense of closeness and contentment among close friends. The room is lit by small, smoky lanterns. Perhaps, since it is spring, a gentle breeze wafts in from time to time through an open window. Everyone is full from a wonderful meal and at peace from the wine. It's one of those times that no one wants to come to an end. It's a time of peace. There is no more bickering or jostling for position. If only they had known what He knew, that these were their last few hours together.

 In scripture, much attention is given to last words. The Patriarchs' last words are recorded as blessings, or curses, for the next generation. Moses issued words of encouragement to Joshua. Elijah had final words for Elisha. David had final words for his son Solomon and the leaders. I often wonder what my last words would be, if I knew that they were to be my last words on this earth. What would be the most important thing that I would want my loved ones to know? It is an interesting exercise to ponder.

 Jesus knows that He has one last evening with His disciples; one last time to give them hope and encouragement; one last hour to prepare them for the future. Imagine yourself there, listening to Jesus in the quiet room, reclining at the table, trying to remember, but probably not getting all of it and perhaps thinking, "That's okay, Jesus will say it again later."

John, the youngest, seems to have remembered the most and thus has recorded what he recalls, with the help of the Holy Spirit, for us here. Let Jesus’ last words settle on you now as they settled on the disciples then. Be more attentive than they were so that you will be better equipped and reassured. Let these words prepare you for the future. After all, you know what the disciples did not, that these are Jesus' last words before His passion. What impact does it make on you now that you know?

Hymn: "Sing Alleluia to the Lord" 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

October 27 Save the Glaze for the Bunny

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips of an evil heart. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips. But in his heart, he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it. If a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. ~Proverbs 26:23-28 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. T...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 16 Thick Skinned Love

Whoever covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. ~Proverbs 17:9 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ~Matthew 18:15  The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:7-8  Being offended seems to be the battle cry of the day. Instead of freedom of speech, everyone has the right not to be offended. If one is offended, then one has the right to exact vengeance on the offender because, of course, the offender KNEW that he or she was being offensive and just didn’t care. Is that how you see much of society behaving today?  There seems to be all of this offending and finger pointing that just keeps growing and growing. Nothing is being resolved, just more blame that grows louder a...
Post a Comment
Read more

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more