Matthew 26:17-19
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
Lest we have doubts, these few verses reminds us that Jesus knew what he was getting into. Nor are we talking only about the foresight that prompts him to tell his disciples on several occasions that he will meet his death in Jerusalem. Rather, we are at the level of something far more mundane: making arrangements to celebrate the Passover meal with his disciples in Jerusalem, the hotbed of the controversy surrounding him and stronghold of his opponents.
Some, I imagine, may read this passage as indicating Jesus’ predictive ability – that he was prophesying that his disciples would meet a certain man who had a room available for them. But I think this was, as I said, far more mundane. Anticipating his desire to spend the Passover – and, indeed, the last moments of his earthly life – with his disciples, Jesus had made plans ahead of time and now directed his disciples to execute those plans.
Mundane. But also courageous. It’s one thing to respond to difficult or dangerous events that come upon us unexpectedly with a burst of sudden courage. It’s another to see the difficulty and danger a great distance off and walk steadfastly toward it, facing the mounting fear and anxiety that such a fate occasions.
This is what these verses reveal: the mundane details of a courageous man who embraced his destiny in faith and confidence….
…all out of love for us.
Prayer: Dear God, encourage us through the example of Jesus’ courage; strengthen our faith as we witness his; increase our love as we recognize his love for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you, Pr. Lose, for your always insightful writings. How important it is for us to see this human side of Jesus — especially during this Lenten season. thank you for all of your offerings.
jac+
Dear David
Thank you for your second post on forgiveness, in which you emphasized the central place of relationships, rather than making amends, and that forgiveness is in a sense unfair. This is relevant not only in respect of relationships among individuals, but also of relationships among communities and peoples, as in South Africa, where I live. Our celebrated “Truth and Reconciliation” process only addressed this in a limited way. Many black South Africans are unhappy because they think white South Africans did not make sufficient amends for apartheid (cheap grace?). Many white South Africans think that because they confessed and apologized, they are now OK, and have no need for developing or deepening a relationship with their black compatriots. Maybe this is a rather “black-and-white” depiction, but you get the gist.
Thank you, as ever, for your inspiring and thought-provoking reflections.
Greetings
Could I please have your permission to use some this devotional for a Devotional Guide I am preparing for my Church – Sungai way-Subang Methodist Church, Malaysia.
We are doing the NT Readings Chronologically for 2021 and I chance upon your devotional.
Due acknowledgement will be noted where this devotional is taken from. Would appreciate your kind approval.
You’re always free to use anything you find here. Thanks for checking in and for the acknowledgement. Blessings!