LS-36-The Guest-Chamber

The Guest-Chamber

Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water: follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, the Master saith unto thee, where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples. And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.--Luke 22:11-12. The brief story kindles the imagination. Who was the unnamed friend of Jesus, who acted as His host that evening? When had they met before? Row intimate had been the friendship that prompted the "goodman of the house" to offer his guest-chamber to the Master, and to prepare it for the passover feast? When had they met to plan how it would be done? We do not know, but the charming story reveals a phase of the inner life of the Lord Jesus that links Him closely to our common human nature.

Somewhere this man had come into contact with Jesus. Perhaps his heart had been stirred as he listened to the gracious words that fell from the Master’s lips. It is possible that he was one of the many nameless people who had been specially blessed by the Saviour’s tender and healing ministry. We do not know. But we do know something of the understanding sympathy which led this man to offer his home to the Man who had no home of His own, that Jesus might have a place to gather with His disciples to celebrate the passover before He suffered. How Peter and John must have wondered as they were sent ahead of the company, to look for a man with a pitcher of water! Him they were to follow. When they arrived at the house where he led them, did they find a stranger there? Or was he one whom they knew as a close friend of their Master-this man who had the upper room ready for their use? In some way this delightful little story suggests the inner friendship we may have with the Lord Jesus. We are followers of the Master, as were the twelve. But surely we want to be also among those who open the guest-chamber for Him, and in quiet unobtrusive ways welcome Him into the closer fellowship of Intimate friendship. Singularly blessed are we if we can welcome the Lord into the guest-chamber of the soul.

"Jesus ever desireth the empty soul that He may fill it with His grace," says Dr. John Watson. "In the refectory of San Marco of Florence there is a very pleasant picture wherein St. Dominic is seated at table with his monks, and he is asking a blessing over cups that have no wine and platters without bread. His companions are amazed, but even while the saint is praying the angels of God are moving unseen through the room, carrying the bread of which if any man eat he shall never hunger again. For it cometh to pass in this hospitality that if any one furnisheth a chamber for Jesus he shall find he is the guest and Jesus has become the host."