John 15: Setting

Bruce Wilkinson brings out the setting of John 15 in his book Stories From the Vineyard.

He tells of how this was part of the dying conversation of Jesus. It was part of his final words before he was to leave. This was the heart of Jesus final message to His disciples.

He tells it like this: If you've been a Christian for a while, you've probably heard a lot about the upper room -- the scene of the dramatic evening meal Jesus had with His disciples. You can easily imagine, then, the men around the table reclining on pillows, their faces turned toward the Master. You can hear the muted conversation. You can smell the aroma of freshly baked bread and of roasted lamb and onions.
It is the night before Passover, the Jewish day to remember the nation's escape from slavery in Egypt. Hundreds of thousands have come to Jerusalem to celebrate, and this year more than ever the city is buzzing with rumors about Messiah. More than one prophet has predicted that on just such a day, Messiah will arrive to deliver Israel from all of her oppressors forever.
But these men reclining around the table know something the crowds outside don't. Messiah is already here. He is with them here in the room.
The disciples have spent three year with Him, and one by one they've come to the same conclusion: Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah -- the One worth risking everything to follow. In fact, the disciples are so certain about who the events of Passover week will unfold that they have spent a good part of the journey from Galilee arguing about who will get which position of honor in the new kingdom.
Dinner begins.
Peter, pass the lamb
Hey James, let's get to the temple early. I don't want to miss ten thousands of angels teaching those Roman legions a lesson.
Psst, Matthew! I'd say our money woes are about to be history.
The disciples expect that these lamplit hours among friends in the upper room will carry on into the evening, poignant but peaceful, full of toasts to the good years to come. But things begin to unravel.

The next thing that happens is the washing of the disciples feet. Why would tomorrow's king behave like tonight's houseboy? It gets worse. Jesus tells them that one of them will betray him. Then the clincher Jesus tells him that before sunup, he will deny his Lord three times. An awful realization begins to dawn: Their whole mission is doomed.
He goes on "a little while longer and the world will see me no more,"

The disciples begin to realize that there will be no public triumph. Their continence drops. Hope has been replaced with anxiety and dread. there is emotional devastation.

At the end of this scene Jesus says "Arise let us go from here." this leads us into a portion of Jesus final words in John 15.

Secrets of the True Vine, Bruce Wilkinson pp. 10-13