The Gospel of Mark: Preparing the Passover meal

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. ~ Mark 14:12-16


Jesus had everything prepared.

Just as he had for his entry to Jerusalem.

He knew what had to happen and he knew how to prepare for it.

The Passover meal was a holy event. It came with rituals and prayers and rules.

But it was also a festive event. It was a celebration of the new life that had been given to the Hebrew people after slavery in Egypt.

What was the mood then of the disciples? Buoyant? Hopeful? Solemn? Faithful? Trusting?

Trusting that Jesus would work it all out? Believing that this Passover meal would lead to Jesus revealing who he was to everyone?

If so, then they had no idea how right they were - despite how wrong they saw it.


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Questions:


Have you ever taken part in a Seder? (Passover meal) What was it like?

 

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