CORONA VIRUS PRAYER FOCUS The “Unnecessary” 40 Days: Week Four
CORONA VIRUS PRAYER FOCUS
The “Unnecessary” 40 Days: Week Four – The Upper Room (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:33-43; John 20:19-29; Acts 1:12-14; 2:1)
He presented Himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking to them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).
Growing up, one of my favorite pop music groups was the Beach Boys. One of the Beach Boys’ hit songs was called “In My Rom.” The lyrics are surprisingly reflective for a group known primarily for surfing, girls, cars and parties.
There's a world where I can go and tell my secrets to
In my room, in my room
In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears
In my room, in my room
Do my dreaming and my scheming
Lie awake and pray
Do my crying and my sighing
Laugh at yesterday …
In my room, in my room
– Brian Wilson, et. al.
The pandemic has likely made those of us who are by nature reflective even more so, and, has likely forced many who are not at all by nature reflective to suddenly become so. Being confined to one’s home has likely accentuated the familiarity of favorite rooms where time is spent.
Most scholars accept that the Upper Room where the disciples were served the Lord’s Supper, on the night before Jesus was crucified (Mark 14:13-16; Luke 22:10-13), was the same room where Jesus appeared after His resurrection (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:33-43; John 20:19-29) and also where the disciples gathered after Christ’s ascension as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:12-14; 2:1).
The Upper Room became one of the focal points where Jesus began to round up his scattered and shattered disciples in order to get them to where they needed to be during what we have called “the unnecessary 40 days.” Following the crucifixion, the disciples had first gone to their respective homes on the day Christ arose (John 20:10). By evening of that day, the majority of them were gathered in the Upper Room “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). We can only speculate about why they gathered here. Was it a way to protect their families? Was it because this room’s existence was a well kept secret? Was it simply a nostalgic attraction that drew the disciples who felt abandoned to a place of familiarity where they took some measure of consolation in being where the memory of their last waking hours together with Jesus was still fresh?
A crucial result of Christ’s first appearance in the Upper Room was that He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. I’m convinced that this was the glue that held them together until the coming of the Holy Spirit in fullness at Pentecost (John 20:22). The absence of Thomas at that first post resurrection visit to the Upper Room drew Christ back one week later to drop the curtain on the doubter in order to draw out his faith (John 20:26-29).
Finally, after Christ’s ascension, the disciples once again found themselves in the Upper Room (Acts 1:12-14). But this time, instead of shuddering in fear, they were boldly positioned to be further emboldened to break out, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to witness for Christ throughout the world.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). As we continue to focus on prayer during the corona virus pandemic let us use the significance of the Upper Room to remind us that our “Upper Room” is wherever we meet God in prayer.
Time of Praise (The Uppermost Room)
The common thread of the Upper Room experiences, from the Lord’s Supper, through the post resurrection encounters, to the anticipation of the Holy Spirit’s coming was the Passover. Following the Passover, the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land. As they wandered, they observed the Passover (Numbers 9:1-5). After they entered the Promised Land they observed the Passover (Joshua 5:10-11). I can’t help but see an analogy here between the Passover followed by 40 years of wandering and the Passover observance where Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper followed by 40 days of wandering before the birth of the church at Pentecost wherein the Lord’s Supper continues to be a precious observance today.
At the Passover observance in the Upper Room, Jesus identified the bread of the Passover as His body (Mark 14:22). He also introduced the cup partaken during Passover as His blood which inaugurated a New Covenant (Mark 14:24). John 19:32-36 clearly links Christ to the Passover lamb in His crucifixion. The Apostle Paul comes right out and calls Christ our Passover lamb (I Corinthians 5:7). After He was resurrected, Jesus showed the disciples His crucifixion wounds in both of the post resurrection appearances in the Upper Room, first on the day of His resurrection (John 20:20) and again one week later (John 20:27). These wounds were indicative of and had been prefigured in the Passover bread and cup. In the Old Testament, the feast of Pentecost followed 50 days after the feast of Passover ended. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, filled the same Upper Room where Jesus had observed the Passover with His disciples. The Holy Spirit had been sent when Christ, the Passover lamb, had ascended and taken His exalted position at the Father’s right hand. The exalted Christ, through the Holy Spirit has now given every believer access to the “Upper Room” of heaven, that is “Uppermost Room” of all which is the very throne room of God.
Because our Passover Lamb has replaced the Old Covenant with the New Covenant, now we have spiritual access to God’s throne room every time we pray! Hebrews 4:16 reminds us of this wonderful truth: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
This same Passover Lamb is worshipped now and forever at the throne of heaven (Revelation 5:9-14). I had the privilege of taking communion at the traditional site of the Upper Room, which is on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. That was likely for me a once in a lifetime experience. Yet, every day you and I can go to the very throne room in Heaven itself in prayer. Take some time to let that sink in. We can visit the “Uppermost Room,” twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week! Spend some time worshipping and praising God for the very privilege of His accessibility through the Lamb that was slain.
Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came and gave amazing grace
Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know Your forgiveness and embrace
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crown
You reign victorious
High and lifted up
Jesus, Son of God
The Treasure of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
-Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Time of Reflection (“Is it I?”)
One of the more overlooked passages concerning the night of the Lord’s Supper in the Upper Room is how the disciples responded when Jesus announced that one of them would betray him. Matthew 26:22 reveals that each one of the disciples asked him the question, “Is it I, Lord?” That should tell us that each one of them saw within themselves the capacity to betray the Lord. Another overlooked passage is when Peter asserted that he would never deny Jesus. We’re all quite familiar with that, but, are you aware that according to Matthew 26:35 “… all of the other disciples said the same”? So, in a sense they all did betray Jesus. Several years ago, Dick Stedman shared a devotional with me called “Is it I?” It is a probing inquiry into what each of the disciples might have been thinking when Jesus announced that one of them would betray him. I have adapted it and greatly condensed it below into a meditation called “Which disciple are you…?” As you read it reflect on ways we are prone to “betray” Christ when our sinful thoughts go unchecked. Then, consider how during those 40 post resurrection days Jesus may have been dealing with the disciples’ insecurities to get them to where they needed to be when he ascended. Reflect on how Jesus speaks directly into our unique situations to turn us away from our erring ways and restore us to a place of victorious living when we seek Him in prayer.
Which disciple are you….?
Andrew John 1:40-41; 6:8-9; 12:22
“Jesus, why am I so fearful of the future?” Andrew’s simplicity was very pleasing to Jesus. Whatever the problem was Andrew’s solution was to take it to Jesus. But now Jesus wasn’t going to be there and who could Andrew take his problems to? When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto Andrew perhaps he began to realize that Jesus would be closer to him and available to him than ever after he ascended to heaven. When Jesus seems distant it is likely He is closer than ever bearing us up by His Spirit and we are simply unaware of it at the time.
Bartholomew (Nathaniel) John 1:45-51
“Why am I so negative, Jesus?” Nathaniel was cynical about anything good coming out of Nazareth and it’s a sure bet he couldn’t see much good coming out of Jesus being crucified. How ironic that Nathaniel would be found among a group of Christ followers called “Nazarenes!” (Acts 24:5). Negativity has no place in a believer’s thoughts, not even during a pandemic. Our God is the One who brings beauty from ashes! (Isaiah 61:3).
James Alphaeus Luke 6:15
“Lord Jesus, why do I feel like no one cares about me?” James Alphaeus is listed by name and that’s about all the press he gets. People who feel overlooked can often resort to wrong behavior just to be noticed. But, during the 40 post resurrection days Jesus commissioned ALL the disciples not just a select few of them. I Corinthians 12:7 reminds us that we are all important to the body of Christ and should never allow the enemy to belittle our importance to God.
James Zebedee Mark 10:35-40
“Lord, why am I so wrapped up in myself?” James was very ambitious to the point of using his relationship with Jesus to curry special favors, much to the chagrin of the other disciples (Mark 10:41). During the 40 post resurrection days James was beginning to learn that the “cup” he was so eager to drink (Mark 10:38-39) was very much like the one Jesus would like to have avoided (Mark 14:36). James emerged from the 40 days ready to lay down his life for Christ and, indeed, became the first of the eleven disciples to give his life (Acts 12:1-2). Are we ready to lay down our lives in the service of the Lord?
John Zebedee Luke 9:51-56
“Why am I so unloving, Jesus?” John, like his brother James and also Peter had a special relationship with Jesus but also like John overreached and sought Jesus’ permission to call down fire upon the inhospitable Samaritans (Luke 9:54). Instead of permission he obtained Jesus’ rebuke (Luke 9:55-56). Jesus’ Upper Room teachings about love would find a special place in the Apostle John’s heart and he would write some of the most important teachings on love (I John 4:7-21) and himself would become known as the Apostle of Love. “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another,” so says John 13:35. Would unbelievers know that we are followers of Christ by observing the way we show love to our fellow believers?
Judas (of James) Luke 6:16; John 14:22
“Why do I question the way you do things, Jesus?” It had to be a bummer to be known as the “other Judas” and to have your only printed legacy be a questioning of what Jesus was saying (John 14:22). Well, I suspect that Jesus was all too willing to remind this Judas that questioning is not such a bad thing so long as you are ready to receive His answers. It is not always easy for us to understand why God allows things like the pandemic to happen, but it’s good to know that we can trust Him. Are we content to believe that Jesus is the answer to all our questions even if He never fully answers them in detail?
Matthew (Levi) Luke 5:27-32
“Jesus, why does my past haunt me so?” As a tax collector, Matthew would not only have been thought of as a thief, but also as a traitor who sided with the Romans over his own people. Could his sinful past have haunted him at the moment Jesus declared a betrayal was at hand? The 40 days would have allowed Matthew to see that the empty tomb had buried his past and he was now allied with a kingdom that would endure long after Rome was relegated to ruins. The devil has a way of throwing our past in our face at the times when we are most vulnerable (I Peter 5:8-9), but as someone has said, “When satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!”
Phillip John 1:43-48; 14:8
“Lord Jesus, why am I so impatient?” When Jesus was explaining His role in revealing the Father, Phillip, in effect, said to Him, “If you’d stop beating around the bush and show us who the Father is, then we’d be satisfied” (John 14:8). Jesus mildly rebuked Phillip and told him that to see Jesus was as good as seeing the Father. It’s easy to lose patience during a pandemic, even with God! I’m reminded of the guy who prayed for patience: “Lord, give me patience, and give it to me NOW!” Ask God to help you to patiently wait out the pandemic and in the meantime teach you patience in other areas of your life as well!
Simon Peter Matthew 16:13-23; Luke 22:31-34
“Why am I always botching everything up, Jesus?” During the 40 post resurrection days, Peter, more than any other disciple was licking his wounds after his threefold denial. Peter had a knack for saying and doing things with obsessive compulsive characteristics. My own take on the denial is different than most. I don’t think it was based on fear of what would happen to him if outed. I think Peter was hoping for a chance to try to spring Jesus free and he didn’t want to blow his cover. His problem was pride and a need to be in control. Jesus had to humble him so, when he did take control in the Upper Room at Pentecost, his leadership skills would be subject to the Holy Spirit and not to his own ego. In Luke 22:31-34, Jesus tells Peter He has prayed for him that he would be able to be a strong leader once he got straightened out. The current pandemic restrictions remind us that there are things beyond our control. Pray that the Lord will show you areas in your life where you need to surrender control to Him.
Simon the Zealot Luke 6:15
“Jesus, why do I feel so let down?” The Zealots were a revolutionary group that resorted to violence in their resistance to the Roman occupation of Israel. After the crucifixion, Simon would likely have been feeling particularly let down because he probably so Jesus as the leader who would led them in the overthrow of the Roman conquerors. During the 40 days Jesus had to recommission this revolutionary into the army of His Kingdom with marching orders that involved conquering the whole world. In the Upper Room, Simon would have heard the words of commission: “As the Father sent me, so send I you” (John 20:21). Pray that God uses this time of confinement to help us recommit ourselves to the cause of reaching the world for Christ.
Thomas John 11:16; 14:5; 20:24-29
“Why am I always doubting you, Jesus?” “Doubting Thomas” is a moniker we’re all familiar with. Thomas, like people from Missouri, wanted to be shown beyond any doubt that Jesus had really risen from the dead. After Jesus had shown Thomas His wounds in the Upper Room, he rebuked His unbelief with these words: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The economic and social chaos and devastation reaped by the pandemic can cause one to doubt whether God can really be working for good in all that has happened (Romans 8:28). Let us pray for God to give us eyes of faith to see the many ways He is at work during this time of the corona virus restrictions.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, as a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee;
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart oh, take and seal it –
Seal it for Thy courts above.
– Robert Robinson
Time to Intercede (“The Bead, the Cup … and the Towel”)
When I decided to enroll at Ashland Theological Seminary, the seminary of The Brethren Church, I was introduced for the first time to “The Brethren” tradition. The Brethren practice what they call “Triune Communion,” which observes the Lord’s Supper in three parts; a light meal called the agape, or “love feast,” the traditional serving of the bread and the cup, and, also a foot washing survive. I have had our church participate in a triune communion several times over the years. The foot washing part I have always made optional and it just hasn’t seemed to catch on. A few years ago I hit upon an idea that DID seem to resonate. Occasionally I will serve three elements with communion, the bread, the cup and a little cloth representing a towel!
John 13:1-20 reveals that during the Lord’s Supper in the Upper Room Jesus also wrapped a towel around Himself, poured a basin of water, and proceeded to wash and dry the feet of each disciple, a job usually relegated to servants. I believe Jesus was prompted to do this when, amazingly, the disciples were still at this time engaging in arguments over which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24-26). When Jesus finished washing their feet, he admonished the disciples to wash one another’s feet (John 13:14). Aside from the Brethren and other traditions who take this literally, most of us take this admonition of Jesus to be symbolic of servanthood. In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus informs the disciples that greatness is achieved through servanthood. “… whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28).
The servanthood of Christ began in the council of the Trinity and was manifested when He chose to empty Himself of the heavenly glory and come to earth as a human being and suffer and die on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Even after His resurrection, the servant heart of Christ was seen in the many ways He went the second mile to meet the disciples at their points of individual need. We see this in the angelic directive given to the women at the empty tomb to “… go tell the disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:7). His condescension continued when He chased down the erring wanderers on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). He “washed the feet” (so to speak) of Thomas when He came back to the Upper Room a second time just to bring the Doubter to faith (John 20:26-29). Most dramatically he summoned the denying Peter to a threefold affirmation of affection for Himself, and, punctuated each one with the command to minister to the flock of believers that would be entering the fold in the days following Pentecost (John 21:15-17).
Intercessory prayer is one of the ways, perhaps the most important way, to “wash the feet of the saints.” It is also an outgrowth of intercessory prayer that we are moved to continue to serve our brothers in the church and neighbors in the world with a servant’s heart.
Take time to now to use your latest prayer list to intercede through prayers of intercession and by seeking God for direction on practical ways you can reach out and be an encouragement to others.
Out in the highways and by-ways of life
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life, May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
– Ira B. Wilson
Jesus Ascends … The Spirit Descends (A Special Place)
When Jesus ascended to the “Uppermost Room,” the throne room of God, He sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost to the Upper Room where the disciples had gathered. Because of the indwelling Spirit, every believer can now enter the very throne room of God at any time. Because of the indwelling Spirit, we don’t have to go to any certain place or room to be in God’s presence. As we walk with the Lord daily in obedience, His presence will guide our steps and lead us into those areas where the Lord wants us to be difference-makers.
I have been challenging us to be reaching out in creative ways to others through our prayers, cards and acts of service. I have also been challenging us to be asking God to help us target one specific area where we can make a difference when the pandemic restrictions are lifted. This could be a one time impact or an ongoing ministry. It could be following through with a commitment that has not been kept. It could be reallocation of resources for investment in the treasures of heaven versus the perishable treasures of earth. It could be the letting go of an attitude or habitual action that is keeping you from the blessing of God’s presence. It could involve a baby step of faith or a gigantic leap. What matters most is that we are progressing in the journey toward which his presence is beckoning us to follow.
Wherever we find ourselves in the days to come, we can discover that His presence is not confined to a place on earth but is always found near to the very heart of God Himself. We can inhabit this special place unbound by any earthly barrier, unhurried by any demand on our time and undisturbed by any frenzied activity around us.
Conclude your prayer focus this week by praising and thanking God for leaving the welcome mat out for all who will enter the restful place that can only be found near His heart.
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God.
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.
Cleland B. McAfee