Mark 14:12-16 - Preparing for the Passover

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 will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; 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 upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.”16 The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

Message: Preparing for the Passover

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is preparing for the Passover. Along the way the priests are preparing to seize Him though they thought that because of the Passover and the crowds they couldn't right now. Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the Leper when Mary poured a bottle of expensive perfume on Jesus' head, anointing him. Jesus praised her for this act, but not everyone was impressed as a disciple felt like the perfume could be sold and used to help the poor. But Jesus confirmed what Mary had done was right. Afterwards, Judas leaves the scene to betray Jesus before the priests in exchange for money.

The chief priests had mentioned at the beginning of this chapter that thought they wanted to seize Jesus and kill him, the time of the Passover was probably not the best time. Many were coming into town from out of town, to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. This probably meant homes were opened up for people to stay in them. As it begins, 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? It was Thursday morning as he had spent Wednesday in Bethany. He awakes this morning, but will never sleep again. This is a fitting question by the disciples - where to? The Lamb had already been provided, per order on the 10th day of Nisan, the same day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, signifying him, the final sacrifice.

And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; Jesus begins to give instructions, but the instructions are not clear. Jesus has a traitor now among his group and he knows that this traitor is ready to give him over but he still has things to do with his disciples. He is working towards the Lord's Supper. Jesus sent two disciples - Luke says these two disciples are Peter and John. It is interesting that Peter given this account to Mark does not mention himself. The directions are specific and yet with all the people in the City how would they be able to see a man carrying a pitcher of water. The reason was that the task of carrying water was a woman's and a man carrying a pitcher of water would stand out.

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?” So they will follow this man carrying water to a house. Perhaps Jesus has set this up prior or perhaps the man is led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls the guest room His so perhaps it was prepared in advance. And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” Again, the room is ready to be used by Jesus and disciples. It has the furnishings, the pillows to be reclined on; it is prepared.

The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover. Jesus has been speaking up until this moment, providing them directions and now in this verse they carry out the directions and it happens as Jesus has said. They prepared the Passover or they obtained the Lamb, the wine mixed with water, the unleavened cakes, the bitter herbs -- everything necessary for the meal. Jesus was obedient to the Law in practicing the Passover.

Summary - It is Thursday now, the day before his crucifixion and death, but all the disciples know at this point is it will be a death, but they may have wondered still what that meant. Jesus directs two of the disciples to go ahead and go to the room that the Passover will be conducted in and get everything ready for the meal. Only these two disciple would know the whereabouts of this meal. Judas would not know. Everything happened just as Jesus had directed them.

Promise: Christ was intent on following the Law of God, keeping the Passover.

Prayer: Lord, you are the God of the details and the Lord of plans. I can trust you to take care of thing in my life just as you have taken care of this in yours. These details are not here by accident but our necessary given the circumstances. Thank you for even this lesson of preparation.