Mark 14:12-16
12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples *said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
13 And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; follow him;
14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’
15 And he himself will show you a large upstairs room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.”
16 The disciples left and came to the city, and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
Preparation for the Passover Meal
The Passover
The Jewish people continue to celebrate the Passover even today. This is the most significant among all of Jewish festivals. According to Exodus 12:1-8, the Passover meal involves slaughtering a lamb on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan (the first month) and eating its meat that night. The sacrifice of the Passover lamb in the temple takes place the next morning at nine o’clock. It’s important not to confuse the lamb slaughtered in individual households with the one sacrificed in the temple. Jesus and His disciples, being faithful Jews, observed the Passover meal as a customary practice. However, during the festival, the city was crowded with worshippers, making it challenging to find a place to have a private meal. Most worshippers set up tents at the foot of the Mount of Olives, using them for lodging. Only the wealthy was able to secure lodging and dining spaces. In this context, the disciples approached Jesus, seeking guidance on where to prepare for the Passover meal.
Unnamed disciples
According to Luke 22, the two disciples Jesus sent were Peter and John. (1) The disciples were not informed of the location for the Passover meal. Jesus was already aware of Judas’ betrayal. If Judas had betrayed Him and led to His arrest before the Passover meal, God’s plan would have been thwarted. (2) Peter and John entered the city and received instructions to find a “man carrying a pitcher of water.” This was a sign to them, as carrying a water pitcher typically was a task assigned to women. A man carrying a water pitcher stood out, making it easy to identify. (3) The two disciples followed the man to his house and conveyed Jesus’ message to the owner of the house. The owner then showed them a large, upper room that was prepared and ready. Everything unfolded just as Jesus said. Jesus was able to have the Passover meal with His disciples thanks to the devoted actions of these two unnamed disciples – the man carrying the water pitcher and the owner of the house with the upper room. Each one served the Lord in their own way. What are you offering in service to the Lord?
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please use me for the expansion of Your kingdom. Allow me to do what I can, just like the two unnamed disciples. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.