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This week we begin chapter 22 of Luke’s Gospel. Please read verses 1-13 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 22:7-13 (NLT)
‘Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him. He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.’
Even though the verses here are referring to the period of time that we call Easter, I want to take you back to Christmas for a little while. I’ve said on many occasions that I really dislike the commercialism of Christmas and resent what it has become in our modern culture. It seems to be an excuse for overindulgence in every possible way.
Despite all the pressures that are being put on parents to get the right gift regardless of the cost, there’s something wonderful about seeing a child’s response to receiving something on Christmas morning. Every present that is opened reminds me to be grateful for everything that God has given me and to re-focus my thoughts on the greatest gift that this world has ever known: Jesus!
Even though our focus may be right, it’s almost impossible to avoid the commercialism and we’re all seemingly trapped into providing that extra-special gift for our children. On Christmas morning, the child will see the gift, eagerly rip off the wrapping paper and enjoy the knowledge that they are now the owner of that gift. However, the child is completely unaware of what has happened in the background in order for that gift to be presented in that way. There may have been hours of thought/discussion between the parents and then they would have had to find somewhere that has this gift in stock. It could be the case where they’ve had to order the gift online and trust that it is delivered on time. Perhaps there has been a delay and so the parents have had to work hard behind the scenes making alternative arrangements. None of this is known by or appreciated by the child on Christmas morning. They just see the gift and enjoy it.
In our verses today, there is a simple line: ‘They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said.’ I’m sure that you’ll appreciate that things like this don’t just happen. God is in the business and has been working ‘behind the scenes’. We mentioned yesterday that it wasn’t ‘normal’ for a man to be carrying a jar of water. Secondly, this man was going back to a house where the owner seemingly was a follower of Jesus and it’s possible that he was aware of what was going to happen. Either way, we can be sure that God’s Spirit has been working at times when the disciples were unaware.
As we close out this week, I want you to remember this weekend that God is ALWAYS working in the background. Romans 8:28 says ‘We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose’. We may not see what He’s doing, but one day we can look back and see exactly what He’s done. Trust Him, do what He says and see what He will do in our lives.
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