The Heart and Purpose of Christ Revealed
Our text for this course is, Prelude to a Requiem. It is based on John 13 – 17 and reveals principles of leadership from the life of Christ in the upper room.
The “prelude” serves as an introduction to a principal event, action or performance. The word requiem comes from (requies, rest) re(again) quies(quiet); thus related to the quiet rest of those who enter into their rest in Christ. Traditionally, a requiem was a mass for the dead, a mass for the repose or rest of the soul or souls of the dead. It was also used as a celebration of the death of a loved one presented in music. A requiem can also be seen as any musical service, hymn or dirge for the peace of the dead; a dirge in song, chant or poem.
In the upper room, as we will discuss in some detail, Jesus lays aside his royal robes, and ministers in humility to his friends. Further, He welcomed, even called forth his betrayal, while preparing His workers for the inevitable conclusion that actually opens the door to their and our future. If you will, the upper room is the setting for Jesus last will testament, the beginning of the end that leads to a new and most glorious beginning.
In this upper room, many significant events occurred. These were not mere events, but these were life changing, kingdom redirecting transformations. In the upper room we become privy to some of the most intimate conversation of the consummate leader as He prepares His disciples for their future without him. We are honored to look deeply into the words and actions of Christ as he interacts with the disciples as a prelude to His requiem. The first steps to the end, the ending steps to a new beginning.
