Mark 14:12-1712And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. (Mark 14:12‑17)
AND THE first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the passover?” v. 12.
The great feast of the Jews was at hand. The Jewish people of all kinds gathered together in Jerusalem to celebrate this occasion, just as their fathers and forefathers had done before them. Their rabbis rite to them the scriptures, telling of deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and they follow the ritual of the ordinances in killing the passover lamb and eating it in accordance with the words spoken by Moses so long ago. Perhaps a few pondered over this feast and wondered at its true meaning, but for the most part it would be merely another holiday—one more observance of an old tradition. No one was aware that in the very same city, meeting with a little company of His own, was the One of whom the passover speaks.
The Lord’s disciples well knew about this feast too, but little thought that this would be a very special night for them. Nonetheless, their desire to please Him will be rewarding. First they inquire: “Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare?” Wasn’t that a lovely attitude and a suitable question? So often today we hear the expression: “Go to the place of your choice.” But the disciples would have the Lord direct them.
So the Lord sends out two of them, saying: “Go ye into the city.” The Lord has put us on this earth in circumstances where we must rub elbows, so to speak, with this world. But it is in the midst of all this that those who love His name will endeavor to find the place of His appointment. Then there is a guide: “There shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.” v. 13. The Word of God, typified by the water, is where we are to find our instruction. The man who carries the water is a type of the Holy Spirit of whom the Lord said: “He will guide you into all truth... He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:13-1513Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:13‑15). “And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.” v. 15. The room is furnished and prepared. It is large; there is ample capacity for all. It is furnished, no doubt quite plainly, but elaborate trimmings or fixtures are not required and indeed would take the mind off the Person with whom they were going to be. It is an upper room—a picture, we may be sure, of the fact that although the Christian must be in the world, he need not be of the world. Being with our Saviour will draw us up above our surroundings and lift our affections heavenward.
“And His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as He had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And in the evening He cometh with the twelve.” vv. 16, 17. The two disciples who were sent on this assignment must have had a special pleasure in telling the others just how everything had worked out as Jesus foretold, and then in directing them to that upper room. If the Lord gives you, dear Christian reader, an opportunity to show others where He would have them meet to remember Him, it will give you a rewarding pleasure, too.
ML-03/15/1964