The Upper Room

While the room where the Lord had the Last Supper with his disciples no longer exists as it was 2000 years ago, the space certainly does.  We went to the site of this event after visiting Mount Zion in the Upper City and the traditional site of the Tomb of King David.  In the room near there, located on the upper floor, we felt a familiar, peaceful, calm spirit as we meditated on what the Bible teaches about the Savior’s final night.  Here, where the ordinance of the sacrament was administered in conjunction with Passover, is where His time was spent before he departed for the Garden of Gethsemene.   The sacrament, so common to us today as we partake weekly of this experience, takes on even deeper significance when viewed in the context of His atoning sacrifice.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. (Mathew 26:26-30)

We also read in Luke’s account . . .

And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

And 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.

And 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?

And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22: 9-20)