Day by Day in the Upper Room

The atmosphere in the Upper Room turned dark and troubling. The twelve disciples (quickly reduced to eleven) had joined their Lord for what turned out to be His last meal before He died. Their dreams were dashed at the incomprehensible teachings as He spoke of His betrayal, death and departure. They could not understand that He was preparing them for life without His physical presence.


Yet for those who know the end of the story, the truths Jesus taught them are powerful and profound. The inspired author, John, in the Gospel account by his name (chapters 13–17), writes with simple words using elementary grammar and sentence structure. But God sovereignly appointed him to set us not only soaring, but also diving to profound depths. What he records almost exceeds human language to convey. No superficial reading will suffice to gain the heart of God as revealed in that dinner conversation. May your daily reading in this book help you go where you may not have gone before, as you listen in and contemplate the Upper Room experience.

Upper Room Outline

Initial Preparation (13:1-38)

Introduction to the Upper Room Discourse (13:1-4)

Washing the Disciples’ Feet (13:5-20)

Prediction of Betrayal & Denial (13:21-38)

New Relationships (14:1–16:4)

With the Father (14:1-15)

With the Holy Spirit (14:16-31)

With Jesus the Vine (15:1-11)

With Each Other—Love (15:12-17)

With the World—Rejection (15:18–16:4)

Final Preparation (16:5-33)

Role of the Holy Spirit (16:5-15)

Certainty of Jesus’ Departure (16:16-22)

Promise of Access to the Father (16:23-33)

High Priestly Prayer (17:1-26)

For Himself—Return of Glory (17:1-5)

For His Disciples (17:6-19)

      Keep Them Secure (17:6-12)

      Protect Them from the Evil One (17:13-16)

      Sanctify Them in Truth (17:17-19)

For All Believers—Unity in Love and Truth (17:20-26)