April 6 | Matthew 26:17-30
DAILY READING
Matthew 26:17-30
REFLECTION
Watching and Waiting
by Kristin Schoeff
Every time I’ve read this passage about the Lord’s Supper—the last time Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples before his suffering, death, and resurrection—the story behind the location of that meal has intrigued me. There is so much left unsaid, but Matthew tells us that there was a “certain man” (whose name we will never know) who somehow was ready to host this historic, memorable meal.
The parallel passages in Mark 14:12-16 and Luke 22:7-13 add important details about the man who hosted Jesus and how his disciples could locate him. The passage in Mark tells us that when Jesus’ disciples asked him where he’d like them to prepare the Passover meal, he sent two of them into the city, telling them that a man would meet them, “carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?'”’ And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepared for us there.” (NASB)
And here’s the part that amazes me most: not would have a few questions for Jesus: what if I see more than one man with a water pitcher in Jerusalem? And how will this homeowner know who we are and which Teacher we are representing? Maybe they didn’t ask but still had those questions in their minds as they followed Jesus’ instructions.
And here’s the part that amazes me most: not that Jesus foreknew that at the moment his disciples entered the city, a servant of this special host would be at that exact spot carrying a pitcher of water And not that they could follow that man into the owner’s home with no introduction and request a room for their Teacher and his disciples to eat the Passover meal.
No, what really amazes me is that this unnamed homeowner/servant of God had a large room all furnished and ready for Jesus. It seems the Holy Spirit had spoken to his heart and told him to have the room ready and he obeyed, and waited for Jesus to come, and Jesus came.
What encouragement there is for us all in this story! Jesus can use us in unimagined ways when we make ourselves available to him, asking the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us, and then following the promptings of the Spirit We may not be famous or well-known, but we can offer ourselves and what God has given us, and then watch and wait for what He will do!
PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us listen to the voice of your Holy Spirit and respond to your leading. Use us today in whatever way is pleasing to you and brings you glory In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
