Holy Week in the Upper Room

This is Holy Week. The most important week of the entire year. Everything is leading up to Jesus dying on the Cross, being buried in a tomb, then conquering death through His Resurrection and making a way for us to have eternal life with God! What a Savior!

This week is so important that almost ⅓ of the Gospels are dedicated to these last 8 days of Jesus’ life on this earth. You see, there are 89 chapters in the Gospels, and almost 30 of these chapters are about this week. For the Gospel of John, there are 21 chapters and in John 12, Jesus comes into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey on Palm Sunday. What is incredible to me as well is that almost ¼ of the Gospel of John is dedicated to one night. The night Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples before going to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He is betrayed and arrested. This Maundy Thursday night is so powerful for all disciples.

Think about that night in the Upper Room. From John Chapters 13-17, all of this happens there. This is all Red Letters, the very words of Jesus. It is called Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.” Or, the “Upper Room Discourse.” After 3 years of ministry with His disciples, He is now preparing them for what is to come - Jesus going to the cross, conquering death, sending the Holy Spirit and them becoming the leaders of the Early Church. This is the speech before the big game! So, what does Jesus do…

First, in John 13, Jesus washes His disciples' feet. He teaches them that following Him is about humility and service. He shares the Passover Meal (The Lord’s Supper) with them to show them the full extent of His love. Then, He tells them, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35. It’s all about loving God and loving others.

Then, in John 14, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit. He tells them that they will not be alone. He is going to prepare a place in Heaven for them, but the Holy Spirit will come and give them comfort and power. Through the Spirit, they will be able to do anything. Jesus tells them, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27. May we live out this truth as His disciples today.

In John 15, Jesus tells them to always remember that He is the Vine and they branches. If they remain in Him through prayer, love and commitment, then they will bear much fruit. Apart from Him, they can do nothing. This call to dependence on Christ. As disciples, we must remain in Him. He is how we bear fruit in our lives. In John 16, Jesus tells His disciples that their grief will turn to Joy. The best is yet to come! Jesus assures them of His Presence and the Victory that is to come - “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Finally, in John 17, Jesus closes this time in prayer. Here Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples and for all of us - “My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” John 17:1 Jesus prayed for us! We are the ones who have believed. And, what did He pray? That we will follow Him and that we will be one, united in Christ. For unity, and that we will bring glory to God.

Jesus sums up His three years of ministry and teaching to His disciples on this one night. Then Jesus is arrested, condemned, crucified, but death can’t keep Him in the grave. Jesus conquers death and makes a way for all of us to be His disciples today. Thank You, Jesus! Now, we are called to live out this Upper Room Discourse in our lives. We are called to love and serve. We are called to live by the Spirit and remain deeply connected to Christ. We are called to live our lives for the glory of God every day. We are now Jesus’ disciples today. He has died for us, taught us and prayed for us. Now, let’s live our lives for Him.