Have you ever wished you could have been a part of the upper room experience with Jesus and His disciples? As I write this, we are experiencing the Covid 19 virus and have been asked to practice social distancing to help stop the the spread of the virus. It has made me miss being in church on Sabbath where I experience the family of God. This passage from Luke 22:7-13 spoke to my heart as I studied it this week.
It was Thursday afternoon just before Passover eve, and Jesus sent two of His disciples to do a special task. He said Go … (Matthew 10:7; 22:9; 28:7,19; Mark 16:15) meaning to “pursue the journey upon which one has entered”. As Christians we are all entered upon a journey and we are commissioned to “go” to bring as many with us as we can.
The commission of Jesus on this day is stated in the verse below.
But the disciples had a question which Jesus answers with specific instructions.
Luke 22:9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-22/
On our Christian journey, each of us may experience the Passover. The Bible tells us that we too will have a cross experience at the close of time when we will follow the Lamb of God whithersoever He goeth (Revelation 14:4) which means to the cross. Jesus knew His disciples would be soon following Him to the cross and He wanted them to prepare to receive the Passover which symbolized what He would do for them at this time. Apparently the place of preparation would be specifically important as we can tell by His very specific answer to their question.
Luke 22:10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
The city they were entering was Jerusalem. On our commissioned journey, we too, by faith, enter the same heavenly city.
Hebrews 9:22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
There a Man will meet us bearing a pitcher of water. Do you know Who He is? He represents Jesus Christ who in the vessel of a clay human body (pitcher) bore our infirmities. And it is He who offers us His living water, the Holy Spirit or Divine Power (John 4:10-14).
Hebrews 2:14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-2/
John 7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-7/
Jesus said to follow the man into the house where He entered in. To just meet a stranger and follow him into his dwelling is a strange thing to do. But His disciples would do as they were told. But how do we follow Jesus into His house today? Jesus has entered a specific place in heaven, and He would have us by faith follow Him there.
Hebrews 9:11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
… 24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-9/
And Jesus went on to give further specific instructions to His disciples.
Luke 22:11And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-22/
As we by faith, enter the house of God, we must say to the Goodman of the house, (God the Father – John 14:2), the Master (God the Son – Hebrews 3:3-4,6) saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
Luke 22:12And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-22/
Jesus wants to show us His upper room. It is large and furnished. By faith we enter this high and holy place in the house of God called the Most Holy place. And we enter with His disciples.
20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-10/
The upper room is the place of prayer. It is not a place of discord but is a place of unity.
Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Acts-Chapter-1/
Did you notice that the room would be furnished? Listen to the plea of Christ our Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24). This is also a description of Passover if you look carefully.
6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-Chapter-9/
Here, by faith, in this high and holy place, Christ would have us come and dine with Him to prepare ourselves or make ready for our journey toward the cross (John 13:1-17; Luke 22:14-20; Revelation 8:2-6). Here He washes our feet with His humility, He feeds us with the living bread of His Word and He gives us to drink of the wine of His cleansing blood. He wants us to understand what is before us on our journey, how to avail of His death and how to trust in His Father’s will (Hebrews 10:7-18) until it is written on our heart and mind (Psalms 40:8). Then we are prepared for the cross (Matthew 26:39).
Luke 22:13And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-22/
Friend, I invite you to come with me into the upper room experience with Christ. We are nearing the end of our journey. Bring someone with you. Watch and listen to Jesus.