Meet Me in the Upper Room

Taken aback by a penance she received in confession, Kelly Guest learns what she needs to be reconciled with God.

“Meet Jesus in the upper room.” 

Father was giving me my penance after my confession just a few days before Christmas. I thought he misspoke and meant the stable. But no. He wanted me to take time over Christmas to read Saint John’s Gospel, chapters 13-16, prayerfully. And listen to what Jesus had to say to me. 

After leaving the confessional, I walked to the front of the church and knelt before the empty manger. I did not have my Bible with me, so my penance would have to wait. Instead, I prayed, “You are not here, Lord. I suppose You are waiting for me in the upper room. I will meet You there.” 

Praying with Jesus in the upper room 

At home, when the children had all gone to bed (or at least to their bedrooms), I went to my room and opened my Bible. I didn’t get very far that first evening. Jesus did indeed have some things to say to me. Each of the first three verses of the thirteenth chapter had a message for me. Jesus was speaking truth and consolation to me. 

But then I read the fourth verse: “(Jesus) rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist” (John 13:4). Jesus, I knew in my heart, was asking me to lay aside something. But what, I wasn’t sure.  

Uh oh ... that meant that either it was something deep down that I was attached to and didn’t want to relinquish, or I was too blind to notice what was holding me back. 

So, I closed my Bible and prayed, “Lord, what do I need to lay aside?” No answer. I went to bed that night thinking about it. 

Learning from Blind Bartimaeus 

The next morning, instead of meditating on that day’s Gospel, the Holy Spirit inspired me to turn to another one of my favorite Bible stories: Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). 

I love Bartimaeus’ unabashed tenacity! When he heard Jesus was passing by, he cried out to Jesus. When rebuked, he only shouted all the louder. Then Jesus called for him. Here’s the beautiful part of the story. It is just a little detail, but it’s important. So important it gets its own verse: “He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus” (Mark 10:50).  

His cloak would have been vital to Bartimaeus. Not only did it keep him warm on chilly nights, but during the day, he would spread it before him for people to toss coins onto as he begged for his livelihood. So confident was Bartimaeus that Jesus would have mercy on him, that he casted his cloak aside! 

Casting aside my cloak 

This is what the Holy Spirit wanted me to consider! Jesus is asking me to cast aside an attitude. Without going into details, perhaps my ideal for a certain aspect of my life is not God’s ideal plan for me. I must let go of that idea and trust God to work everything out. 

I prayed, “Lord, casting aside my cloak is harder for me than it was for Bartimaeus. I feel exposed, naked even. A little ashamed. I desire to be clothed in a new attitude. ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’” 

So then, what does Jesus give me to put on? The same cloth He wrapped Himself in. When Jesus took off His outer garment at the Last Supper, He took a towel and tied it around His waist. And so, He hands me a towel. 

Jesus is calling me to humble service. To give without counting the cost. Willingly. Joyfully. Always. 

Serving joyfully 

Such life-giving service requires humility. The kind of humility seen in a new-born King wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The humility of a Master wrapped in a towel and washing the feet of His disciples. The kind of humility that shouts out, “Jesus, have pity on me!” even when others around you think you are crazy. This is a humility only God can give. 

Girded in humility, knowing that it is the Lord whom I serve, I can serve joyfully. Saint Teresa of Calcutta would often remind us that joy comes from serving Jesus, Others, and then Yourself. If I get that “Y” out of order, I no longer have JOY.  

From a worldly view, this does not sound right. But God’s view is out of this world. He sees the bigger picture. And His vision for me leads to true joy, happiness, and peace.  

“Lord Jesus, help me to lay aside my pride and be clothed in humble service so that I may one day see You face to face. Amen.” 

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Copyright 2025 Kelly Guest
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