” He directed two of his disciples, ‘Go into the city. A man will be carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. Ask the owner of whichever house he enters, “The Teacher wants to know where is my guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a spacious, second-story room, swept and ready. Prepare for us there.’
The disciples left, came to the city, found everything just as he had told them…” Mark 14:13-16 (MSG)
As I read the familiar story of the night of Jesus’ betrayal, this portion struck me with relevance as we approach the beginning of a new year.
Twice Jesus gave the disciples specific instruction on what to do in preparing the way for Him (first with the colt, now with the upper room).
Jesus did not speak in parables this time, but gave clear, concise instructions. As the disciples obeyed in simplicity, they found it just as He said.
I wonder what would happen if we obeyed the Father just as simply as He prepares the way for His work in our lives as a New Year approaches.
I’m challenged by this. For many, the New Year brings questions, anticipation, fear and doubt.
Just as Jesus knew the precise details of what was ahead for Him, so He also knows the details ahead of us. If we listen carefully, He still gives precise details for the next step.
We often don’t hear him give as many details as He did for the disciples, which is probably our hang up. We want to see the full year laid out. We want to know the outcome. Now. It makes it easier to obey.
But He is still the same Savior. The same Messiah. We just got done celebrating the miracles of His birth and yet already we are stuck in the “what if’s.”
If we follow Jesus’ obedience later in the chapter, we see Jesus himself knowing what the course ahead was and asked the Father to take Him out of it.
Blessings to you as we celebrate a Savior who did not stay in the manger, but prepares the way for us.
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