5.9.20 - It may help if we try walking in the shoes of the Apostles in the Upper Room

Jesus' Final/Last Supper Discourse - John 14:1-2

The Final Discourse actually extends for 3 chapters (14-17). Apparently, Jesus had much to say! For our reading - to appreciate the atmosphere in the upper room that night - we should imagine ourselves in the Apostle’s shoes to try and feel what they felt.

The following is from Andrew’s private diary that evening, found among the Dead Sea Scrolls* …

At the Last Supper, Jesus did some strange things – that was not your standard Passover meal! However, every one of us is glad that his body and blood were… what’s the word – transubstantiated? – into bread and wine. That was a huge, huge relief.

Now Jesus has started talking about his death again, which is sounding more and more ominous, like it is right around the corner. For the last month, since Jesus started talking about his death, it has been very disconcerting. All our dreams of taking the kingdom back from the Romans – down the drain! If we hadn’t seen everything he did – healing lepers, cripples, the deaf, and blind, raising Lazarus, and quieting the storm over Lake Galilee – who knows if we would still be here. However, all this talk of suffering and dying feels like we are walking towards a cliff, or an ambush, and we’re following him without the vaguest clue what to do. Do we defend ourselves? Are we supposed to die? Oh dear Jacob, what is he is saying now? He says he is leaving us, I knew it! We’re going to be left behind. What does he think any of us can possibly do without him?

Everyone is listening so intently to what he is saying, looking for the tiniest clue about what’s going to happen and who is supposed to do what. Wait, what did he say? He is going to his Father’s house which has many rooms? Oh please, mother of mercy, what does that mean? I wonder if Peter understands this. I don’t! Where is my heart medicine?

Thomas speaks up and asks Jesus where his Father’s house is. Way to go, Thomas! Jesus replies and says we already know the way. What? Who knows the way? Wait, I think he is going to tell us. He says… that HE is the way. He is the Way and the Truth and the Light. Whoa, that sounds unbelievably serious, but it’s not helping with the directions. Then Philip says, rather nonchalantly, “Jesus, just show us your Father and we’ll be satisfied.” Man, I gotta hand it to Philip – he has some crazy questions hiding in that head of his, but I’m PRETTY SURE, PHILIP, THAT AIN’T HAPPENING; don’t you recall, even Moses wasn’t allowed to see God? Sheesh. Jesus says back to Philip, “Philip, do you not yet know me?” Oh, poor Philip… poor us! I am trying hard to focus on the rest of what Jesus is saying, but my heart is pounding too hard.

Oh boy, is that a mob I hear outside? I wonder if Peter hears that. Peter is sweating profusely. He looks over at me, but I’m pretty sure my face does not give him any comfort. I am in complete panic mode. I’m sorry Peter! Then Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it!” Well, what do you know? Wow, okay then, Lord, can you just bring an end to all this, like right this minute?

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Indeed, we have a few questions to answer. See you Monday night on zoom.

Ron

* It was not really found among the DSS, I just made it up.