24.191 | Preparing For The Passover | Mark 14:12-16 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 14:12-16 ESV

12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us 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 carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,

14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’

15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”

16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:12-16 ESV

PREPARING FOR THE PASSOVER

Jesus prepared for the Passover with His disciples. This demonstrates that He honors the ceremonial law of Moses. It is a day to commemorate how God has protected the Israelites during the tenth plague when He inflicted upon Egypt. God killed the firstborns of the Egyptians, while he "passed over" the Israelites who had put the blood of a lamb over their doors per God's instructions (read Exodus 12).

He sent two disciples to prepare the place. In Luke 22:8, Luke identifies the two disciples as Peter and John. They easily find the place where they are to use. Why? Per instructions of Jesus, they would meet a man carrying water and follow him to his master’s house. It was not their custom for their men to carry water in those days.

How did Jesus have selected this place? The text isn't clear. Either, He may have coordinated with the homeowner beforehand or He may be following the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is a similar situation to Mark 11:1–7. There, Jesus told two of His disciples to enter a village and bring a specific donkey colt; when asked what they were doing they were to tell nearby men that "the Lord" needed to borrow it.

This passage demonstrates how in control Jesus is, is it not? He knows where to find a room to celebrate the Passover meal with His disciples. They are His family. He knows someone will betray Him (Mark 14:18). And He knows He will die (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32–34). He even tells Judas when to coordinate His arrest (John 13:27). Apparently, there is nothing about the unfolding events that is outside of Jesus' knowledge and control.

To prepare for the Passover, they have to get a lamb without blemish, unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and wine. As Galileans, they will eat in the evening of 14 Nisan [ equiv. to April today], as the law states (Lev 23:5). Jesus' death, however, is most closely identified with the Passover. According to Paul, His is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7), who will die as the literal Passover lambs are slaughtered at the temple.

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