At Jesus’ final meal with His disciples before His death, often called the Last Supper or the Upper Room Discourse, we see an early picture of the movement He came to begin. The core principles of the Church, birthed after His resurrection, are laid out here.
Disciples are people who model and practice living in the way of Jesus – a way that places the cross of Jesus at the center of their lives. Like the first disciples, we can only lead people to Christ out of the new life we’ve received and put into practice. The events of the upper room remain the disciple-making vision of the Church.
Like the first disciples, we can only lead people to Christ out of the new life we’ve received and put into practice.
The Upper Room Discourse is covered in a lengthy section of John’s gospel, chapters 13 through 17. Luke’s version, which will be the focus of our Easter sermon series, is much shorter but shares many of the same themes. What is unique to Luke is how these historical events point to future realities:
The cup of wine, representing His blood shed on the cross, also points to the marriage supper of the lamb: “For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.“
Luke 22.18
Jesus calls His disciples here to a new kind of leadership, a servant leadership modeled in the life of Jesus. But this leadership too would extend beyond their immediate future: “And I will confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.“
Luke 22.29-30
Finally, Jesus addresses Simon Peter, both predicting his upcoming failure and suggesting his restoration and restored leadership that would prove transformative for the future Church: “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.“
Luke 22.32
The events of the upper room remain the disciple-making vision of the Church.
In the three weeks leading up to the celebration of Easter, we are going to examine this foundational gathering with the hopes of renewing our vision of the Church we are called to serve today. Below are the themes of our upcoming Sunday sermons:
A New Family / Luke 22.14-23
Discipleship is marked by a familial type of love that goes deeper than biological family.
A New Society / Luke 22.24-30
Discipleship to Jesus means a new way to see and exercise power.
A New Strength / Luke 22.25-34
Discipleship to Jesus is based on a lifestyle of repentance.
We are to be active participants in the restoration of the world, a mission that fueled the loving relationship between the Father and the Son.
The truths and lessons of the upper room continue to speak to our challenge of discipleship today. We are to be active participants in the restoration of the world, a mission that fueled the loving relationship between the Father and the Son. We enter this ever-flowing love by spiritual union with Jesus, but also by embracing His mission and living as He did.
In the final week of the series, Palm Sunday, Pastor Kenneth Mbugua will be speaking. Pastor Mbugua is the senior pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nairobi, Kenya, and a Council member of The Gospel Coalition Africa. He is the managing director of Ecclesia Afrika, which promotes biblical resources for building healthy churches. He is a gifted preacher and teacher of God’s Word.
This short series will point toward the Good Friday and Easter weekend that follows, often called Holy Week. This is one of the most important times in the year for the church of Jesus. You can find out details about our Good Friday and Easter services at the button below.
Praying for our church as we enter this important season together.
Pastor Rob
