“Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Jesus, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?” And He sent out TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; FOLLOW HIM. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “WHERE IS THE GUEST ROOM IN WHICH I MAY EAT THE PASSOVER WITH MY DISCIPLES?” ‘ Then he will show you a large upper room, FURNISHED AND PREPARED…“ (Mark 14:12-15)
So, these two disciples do not know WHERE TO GO or who THE MAN IS that they are supposed to follow. They are told to just go into the city, and they will see a man carrying a picture of water? Trusting God is so important for us because He can prepare PEOPLE TO HELP us and PLACES WHERE WE CAN MEET without making reservations! “So, His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. In the evening Jesus came with the twelve.” (Mark 14:16-17)
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should DEPART FROM THIS WORLD to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)
THREE VERY IMPORTANT EVENTS HAPPEN AT THIS TIME:
- JESUS INTRODUCES THE DOCTRINE OF FEET WASHING: “Jesus rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and BEGAN TO WASH THE DISCIPLES’ FEET, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:4-5) Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet, “Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, YOU HAVE NO PART WITH ME.“ (John 13:8) Jesus explained how important this was! “So, when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, YOU ALSO OUGHT (opheilō: be bound to do that which is due) TO WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET. For I have given you an example, that YOU SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE to you.” (John 13:12-15) Even though we are bound to do it, IT’S NOT DONE TOO MUCH TODAY.
- JESUS SHOWS HOW HE WILL BE BETRAYED: “When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (John 13:21) Jesus knows it’s Judas but He does not reveal it to all.
- JESUS INTRODUCES A NEW COMMANDMENT: “A new commandment I give to you, that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that you also love one another. By this ALL WILL KNOW that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham