Jesus shows he is prepared for the Passover which foreshadows his sacrifice that had to come.
Luke 22:7 – 16
The Last Supper
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.’
9 ‘Where do you want us to prepare for it?’ they asked.
10 He replied, ‘As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks: where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.’
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.’
Reading today’s passage I was struck again about Jesus’ preparedness. He has it all under control. His disciples are now used to following him on his mission they no longer appear to question his commands. Just think about Peter’s doubt when in the early days with Jesus Peter walked out to Jesus on the lake. Then he had doubt of the hurdles before him. Now it appears having lived with and observed Jesus over the three years they have gained a trust in his word and the reliability of his advice. Verse 13 tells us that ‘They left and found things just as Jesus had told them.’
It makes me think and be challenged about how much I trust Jesus word to be true. How much do I think that when life throws tough things in my way that I am not to worry, and that Jesus has prepared for this and that he has it all under control? If I just trust his word as true and follow his guidance, then the path before me (however bumpy) will be one walked with him and not on my own strength. He has gone before; he has made a plan.
The other observation I have made of today’s passage is the inevitable importance of the ceremony of the Passover. The day came when the Passover lamb HAD to be sacrificed. I emphasize the word ‘had’ as this tells me that there was no other option. The sacrifice is how it had to be. The sacrifice of the lamb was a necessity.
I think of what follows – Jesus in the garden where he prays for the father to take the cup of suffering from him if the father is willing. Yet not my will but yours he says. Yet had there been another way then even Jesus would have wanted to take it, but this is the only way through the sacrifice of the lamb. Jesus is that lamb. This is his last supper with his disciples something planned to foreshadow a sacrifice that had to happen.
Head: Consider further how the sacrifice of the lamb had to happen.
Heart: Consider when are you prone to doubt Jesus word and instead make your own plans and preparations?
Hands: Give back the control to Jesus in the parts of your life where you are eager to take control and lock Jesus out of the driving seat.
Prayer: LORD I thank you that you have everything in control. Sometimes when I look at the world or if I look in closer at my world it looks like it is spinning out of control. However, reading your word today reminds me that you are always in control, that you have made a plan. I thank you that you did not abandon the plan that you followed through on what had to be done in order to complete the sacrifice once and for all. AMEN.
A song to listen to:
Emma Jane McNicol
Living Church Creek Road
