8/14/10 Mark 14:12-16 Preparing for Jesus

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

(Upper Room- Crusader Church built on site- taken by Ben 6/2010)

Thoughts: The disciples were concerned about getting things ready for God.  What they didn't realize is that God had already gotten things ready, and all they had to do was some asking and following. Isn't that the way it is with us today?  We feel like we MUST do this and that for the kingdom of God, but God is the One in charge.  I am continually amazed and surprised at how God has so often made the way smooth when something is clearly His will.  Yet, it is still important that we ask God what can we do for you, and then follow His directions.

Prayer:  Lord, today, help me to give up my perceived control over things and give them to you. 

John Calvin thoughts: Jesus' unusual and miraculous way of preparing for the Last Supper was a way to encourage the disciples.  It was necessary so that when they saw Christ weak (a few hours from when he said this, he died) they would remember this miracle.  The Passover was a sign not just of an ancient deliverance, but also a future deliverance.