Get Ready for What?

Text: Luke 22:7-13

Throughout this series we have encountered people very much like us. In spite of the years, the knowledge of the world, the many generations that have passed, the basic questions about our relationship to God and to other persons have not substantially changed. Nor have the need for faith or the difficulty of maintaining it.

It was apparently not unusual for Jesus to give instructions to an advance team from his entourage. It is likely that Peter and John had gone on numerous such assignments, most of which were probably mundane; some, like the one to prepare the Passover in an "upper room," had enough of the unusual to keep things interesting. But little could they imagine all that would transpire in the next couple of days, beginning with the observance with which they were immediately concerned.

It is all too commonplace for Christians through the ages to view the disciples prior to the resurrection, except for rare occasions, as just a step or two above the Keystone Cops of silent movie days. They always seemed to miss what we think should have been obvious, often seemed to ask the wrong questions, and generally be oblivious to Jesus' person and purpose. Such as assessment, of course, is terribly wrong. Even before their experience at Pentecost, these were men cherished by their Lord, under training the intensity of which would only later be seen.

Go and prepare the Passover. Do it in this way; do it in this place; speak to this person; say this. Instructions given; instructions followed. Without question, without the need to know the role this assignment would play in any larger drama. They simply obeyed the Lord. There is a timely lesson in this for all of us. Today we want to know just what piece of the action we are participating in; then we deem it our prerogative to accept or decline what's been given for us to do, perhaps even having the audacity to propose an alternative to accomplish what the Lord is "really" after. Not so the disciples. And not so for those who purpose to follow Jesus today or any day. He who is faithful in the little will be faithful in much. May each of us be included among the faithful and obedient.