Mark 14:12-16

Passage

The first day of the Passover festival came.  It was the day that the Passover lamb was sacrificed.  Jesus’ disciples ask Him where it is that He would like to celebrate the Passover.  He told two of His disciples to go into the city, where a man carrying a jar of water will meet with them.  Wherever he went, Jesus’ disciples were to follow.  Jesus tells the disciples to speak to the master of the house and inform him that the Teacher would like to celebrate the Passover in the guest room.  The master of the house will show the two disciples a large upper room that had been prepared for the Passover.    The disciples went out and found everything as Jesus said and they prepared the Passover.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The festival of Passover commenced with the slaughter of the Passover Lamb.  The Passover Lamb represented a time in the history of the Hebrew people when they had an incredible victory delivered to them from God’s hands.  It was at Passover that the firstborn of all the Egyptians had died and the Hebrew people were told to leave Egypt.  God desired Jesus to be crucified at Passover as a sign that a second and greater victory had come to not only the Jews but to all humanity.  God had once more delivered victory to people from His hands.  Jesus would be the atoning sacrifice for the sinfulness of humanity.

How cool is it that God set-up the Passover 1,500 years prior to Jesus’ coming?  How cool is it that Passover would take on multiple layers of understanding and fulfillment?  What can this teach us about God’s work in the past, present, and future?

Second Thought:

Fundamentally, this story is about obedience.  Luke 22:8 tells us that Peter and John are the ones who are sent to prepare the Passover.  Jesus tells them what to do and they do it.  Peter and John are able to be obedient because they understand their identity in Christ.  They are there to learn from Christ but to also serve God’s vision for ministry through Christ.  In their submission to God, they learn that obedience is about service to God’s plan.

Why is it important for us to see ourselves as God’s servants?  Why is it important to be reminded that God sets the agenda and the plan?

Third Thought:

This passage also shows us the authority of Christ.  Jesus knew what to expect.  He knew what was coming.  He knew how to direct His servants.  Jesus understood the role of God as king and His own position within the Kingdom of God.  Thus, Jesus was able to display power in directing His disciples.  This is how God works.  Jesus can properly use power because He has understood the authority that God has given.

Why is it important for us to understand our role in the kingdom?  What is life like when we try to apply God’s power in ways that He desires?  What is life like when we try to apply God’s power in directions that He does not desire?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 14: 17-21