Day 7 :: The Upper Room

John 13:26-27a

Check Your Heart

January 20, 2015

Sheri King, Director | Children’s Ministry

This scene focuses on two men sharing a moment at the dinner table along with the other disciples. One of them, Jesus: the Son of God, the teacher, and the leader. The other, Judas: a mere man, a disciple, and a follower. But was Judas truly a follower, a disciple of Christ? Nothing up to this point gives evidence that Judas was any less of a disciple than the other eleven. This quickly changes, however, when he takes the bread and the true nature of his heart is revealed. At that moment, it is painfully obvious that he was never truly a disciple of Christ.

We can read a few chapters in any of the gospels to see the difference a moment with Jesus makes in someone’s life. Two brief examples are the woman who touched His robe and the man with leprosy. What is the difference between the moment Judas had with Jesus and the moments of those who were healed? The heart. The moment Satan entered Judas he went straight to the Jewish authorities to discuss the best way to betray Jesus. The moment Jesus healed so many people they left rejoicing and praising God.

What is the condition of your heart? Is it one longing for God’s goodness, compassion, and love or is it one primed in rebellion, greed, and pride? In Luke 6:45 Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” As we seek to live each day for Christ, let’s examine the “abundance” of our hearts.

TWEET THIS: What is the condition of your heart right now? Whatever it is, ask God to turn your heart toward him so you can worship him in spirit and in truth. #UpperRoom

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE: Mark 5:24-34; Matthew 8:1-3

Day 6 :: The Upper Room

John 13:22-25

Love Leads to Boldness

January 19, 2015

Greg Poss, Executive Pastor

Imagine the sense of shock and confusion among the disciples upon hearing the words “one of you will betray me” from Jesus’ own lips. John’s gospel account captures some of the aftermath of that bombshell revelation. The disciples are looking around at each other, not sure of the exact meaning of what Jesus said, or even about the intended subject of his words. Though Jesus had previously alluded to his death, it is only now becoming clear to the disciples that his death is imminent. 

In the midst of the fallout from Jesus’ revelation about his coming betrayal, John is the only disciple willing to speak up, asking about the identity of the betrayer. Perhaps it is because John is “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” It seems that being a recipient of the love of God fundamentally changes how a person approaches him. Absent the love of God, our approach to him is fearful and tepid. Now, however, we come boldly, knowing that in Christ we will not be turned away. Just as John approached Jesus boldly in the Upper Room, we too can come to God without fear of rejection due to the love of God we receive in Christ.

TWEET THIS: When God loves us, we can approach him with confidence; we won’t be turned away! #UpperRoom

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 4:14-16

Day 5 :: The Upper Room

John 13:21

The Goodness of God
January 16, 2015
Luke Samuelson, Campus Pastor | Calvary West

This passage shows Jesus’ omnipotence to forecast the future. He is able to look into the future and even though the future is grim for Him, He displays His overwhelming love and grace. This passage also shows Jesus giving a warning to Judas, which gives him a chance to remove himself from evil and re-evaluate his heart. One of the strongest expressions used to describe the sorrow of Christ is seen in this passage as it says Jesus was “troubled in his spirit.” His distress penetrated down into his inmost being. This gives a contrast between the approaching sufferings that Jesus was about to experience and His love and care for His disciples. In the midst of this situation, he sees the deceit, treachery, suffering, and betrayal He is about to experience, and He still allows it to occur, even though he has the power, authority, and control to stop it all. His love for His sheep and His desire to do the will of the Father superseded His own distress.

The challenge from this passage is to ask ourselves, “do we desire to do the will of the Father above all things?” Do we trust in the goodness of God in the midst of pain, betrayal and, sorrow knowing there is something greater He is trying to accomplish in us and through us?

TWEET THIS: Do you trust God in pain, betrayal & sorrow knowing there is something greater He is trying to accomplish in us and through us? #UpperRoom

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE: John 6:38-40

Day 4 :: The Upper Room

John 13:18-20

What’s Your Motivation?
January 15, 2015
Luke Samuelson, Campus Pastor | Calvary West

When Jesus says a Scripture will be fulfilled, he is referring to a Scripture previously stated in the Bible. In this case He is referring to Psalm 41:9. This Scripture describes an act of deceit by someone’s closest friend. The act of eating bread with someone is a representation of trust and friendship. Judas is conspiring to betray his own master and Lord, yet Jesus still offers to extend his friendship towards him. In this passage, when Jesus says “he who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me,” He describes the contrast of someone he has extended friendship to will now be violent towards Him.

In this passage we see Jesus’ love towards his disciples all the way to the end as well as His faithfulness to them, even to death on the cross. The death and resurrection of Jesus opened a new way of relationship and friendship with God. Accepting Jesus means to also accept the Father who sent him. This applies to all of us. We as Christians have a great honor and responsibility to stand in the world for Jesus Christ. We speak and act for him. Are you ready to stand for Jesus at the cross of opposition and hostility? It cost Jesus everything, but He was motivated by the love He had for the Father and for us. This same love should motivate us to take the good news of God’s grace, mercy, and love to a lost and dying world.

TWEET THIS:

Obeying the Father cost Jesus everything, but He was motivated by love of God & man. What’s your motivation? #UpperRoom

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 41:9

Day 3 :: The Upper Room

John 13:12-17
Are You Better than Christ?
January 14, 2015
Jay McGuirk, Associate Pastor | Discipleship

To a world that desperately wants meaningful community, Jesus’ words in John 13:14-17 speak powerfully. Since the footwashing and the cross show Jesus’ sacrificial love, the community of those who have been cleansed should be characterized by that same love. If the Son of God can wash feet, then we should love and serve each other with joy. As John Stott says, “humility is a universal Christian virtue to be expressed through sincere and costly service of others in Christ’s name.” Through the cross, we have both been driven to this humility and given common ground on which to build meaningful relationships. Jesus wants the pattern of servanthood that he demonstrated to become the pattern of our lives. Having your feet washed by the firstborn of all creation makes your earlier argument about who is the greatest among you seem silly. Jesus’ actions validate everything he has taught his followers and show that his call is one to radical servanthood.

None of us would say that we are better than Christ. We know better. What then does it look like for you to sacrificially serve others? How can you create margin in your life where you are able to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ? Will you teach? Will you meet physical needs? Who will you humble yourself to serve?

TWEET THIS:

When I refuse to radically and sacrificially serve others, I refuse to follow Christ in complete humility. #UpperRoom

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:

Galatians 6:10

Day 2 :: The Upper Room

John 13:6-11
You Never Need Another Bath

January 13, 2015

Jay McGuirk, Associate Pastor | Discipleship

When Jesus goes to wash his feet, Peter uses a dangerous combination of words—“no” and “Lord.” If this were really just about cleaning feet, Jesus’ insistence on washing the disciple’s feet would seem rigid and unnecessary. But Christ’s humble act is about so much more. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” What Jesus shows us is that taking part in the inheritance of the Kingdom of God as sons and daughters necessitates being washed by the Lamb. In verse 10, Jesus tells us that there are two types of washings that we all need. The first is the cleansing made available by Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross. This is the washing that takes us from death to life, when our sins are judged and nailed to the cross. This “bath” is once-and-for-all. The second washing is needed daily as sin continues its battle for our allegiance. For this daily “foot washing” we must go before God’s throne of grace to be forgiven and renewed in order to live in obedience.

           

First, as the hymn asks, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Have you repented and put your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation by grace through faith alone? Go no further without this assurance in your life. Second, do you go to the Father through Christ to maintain clean hands and a pure heart? Take time today to pray for a heart that breaks over your sin, and a desire to pursue a Christ-like life in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

TWEET THIS: 

Be washed by the Lamb once-and-for-all, but return regularly to have your hands and feet cleansed. #UpperRoom

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE: 

1 John 1:8-10

Day 1 :: The Upper Room

John 13:1-5
The Servant King
January 12, 2015
Jay McGuirk, Associate Pastor | Discipleship

In Luke 22:24 Jesus’ closest followers argue about who is the greatest among them. Jesus rebukes them by pointing out how the Gentiles use their power and positions to mistreat their subjects. “Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves,” Jesus says. In the first few verses of John 13, we see Jesus show the full extent of his love for his own, and it gives us the perfect picture of what it means to serve others. When Jesus tied a towel around his waist, he put on the clothes of a Gentile slave and performed work that no rabbi of any stature, much less a king, would ever consider. Notice from verse 2 that Judas, the betrayer, is also in the upper, with no exception made by Christ towards him. Jesus cleans the very feet that will soon lead a band of Roman soldiers to arrest and ultimately murder him.

The Scriptures show us that the King of Kings stepped down from heaven and took on the form of a servant. Jesus, aware that the Father had put everything under his power, demonstrates love by serving those who could give nothing to him in return. What do you do to serve others who can give you nothing in return? When do you lay down your title, your position, and your stature to give to those who could never do anything for you? Not just today, but consistently—find others who you can serve with the sole purpose of demonstrating Christ’s love. What you have freely received from Christ, freely give to others.


TWEET THIS: 
Jesus is our Servant King, serving and loving us so we can serve and love others. #UpperRoom

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 2:5-11