"And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." (Matthew 26:30.)

To the disciples the memory of this gathering with Christ at the table must have been among their most prized possessions. What a tender scene! This was the quiet before the storm! The hour of the crucifixion was just ahead. In love and fellowship they gathered this last time! In later years how often their thoughts must have returned to this sacred scene.

THEY SUNG

As wonderful as it was, however, this gathering had to end! It came time for departure. The scripture says they "sung an hymn." The very preciousness of this hour, possibly, cannot be put into words! Christ, standing in the midst, blending His voice with those of the disciples singing praises unto God.

Possibly, with great sorrow, the meeting closed! The scripture says "they went out." How wonderful it would have been to have remained in the upper room, praying, singing and rejoicing!! What a temptation it must have been to linger there, but, they must go out! This was only part of the task, the other part lay beyond the upper room.

TO DIE

Jesus left the tipper room to go to Gethsemane and then to the cross. He went out to die!! Our salvation was made possible because He "went out." He left the upper room to lay down His life that we might live! He faced the cross with satisfaction, knowing, that by His death sinners would be made whole.

"They went out!" This was hardly a noteworthy group. Judas had already gone out to betray him. There was strife among them as to who should be greatest. Thomas went out to doubt Him! Peter went out to deny Him. We look and we see their sin, their faults and their failings. We look and we see ourselves!! Not a very pretty sight, but remember, these were the men who went out and shook the world for Jesus Christ.

It was wonderful in the upper room but they couldn't linger there! They must go out!!! They were to carry the gospel of salvation to a lost and dying world. They went out to serve Jesus.

Oh, that we today could be like them. Too often we rejoice in sitting In heavenly places with Christ but we fail in going out with the message to the world. We gather to pray and sing but we forget that this is only a part! We, too, are to go out as servants of Jesus Christ.

"THEY WENT OUT"

The disciples "went out" and God used them to glorify His name and to win the lost. We need a revival that not only "brings them in," but "sends them out." It is of great significance that they "went out" after the participation at the Lord's Supper. What a great lesson there is here!!

At the Lord's Supper we are to remember His broken body, His shed blood, and our salvation. We are to examine ourselves for sin and repent! We are to be looking forward to the second coming! Then, we are to go forth to serve Him and to witness for Him.

What tremendous revivals would be experienced if God's pattern were followed! Who can imagine what would happen if God's people were all drawn back to the cross and would relive their salvation. What if the cross would become real and salvation vibrant in each believer's heart! What if each believer would repent of sin and give himself to lead a clean, separated life? What if each believer were looking forward with great anticipation to the second coming of Christ?

Now, consider, what would happen if such a group "went out" into the world to bear witness for Jesus!

It shook the world when the disciples thus went forth!! it will accomplish the same thing --- N 0 W ! !