about the name…the lower room

about the name…the lower room

February 4, 2006, 12:13 pm
Filed under: general

Some have asked about the idea behind the name “the lower room”. Apart from the obvious fact that our meeting place is a basement, I think that there is deeper symbolism we can all get behind.

First, we have the contrast with “the Upper Room”, a location where Jesus and his disciples met in Jerusalem, and where the disicples essentially hid after his crucifixion. I think that it is significant that after Jesus left the scene and sent the Holy Spirit, the upper room fades from the story. To me, it’s as if the upper room had served its purpose, and now the disciples were dispersed to the ends of the known world to spread the good news of Jesus. Compare that to where the church is today. In many ways, the church has retreated back into an upper room of its own. Not confident enough in their faith to do anything but avoid the world. Waiting and hoping that Jesus will come to them once again and show them his nail holes before they venture out. Content to send out a little money here and there and to sponsor the occasional brave soul who will go.
Second, the metaphor of Heaven comes to mind. I don’t know what your concept of Heaven is, and I don’t intend to give you one, but I like the idea that the earth is truly “the lower room” when compared to Heaven. Its an area full of people searching, wishing, sitting, waiting for something better. It’s the room I think we are called to live in.

What are your thoughts?

T minus 28 days…

-eli

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