Luke 22:7-13
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we continue tracing Jesus’ steps to the cross, read Luke 22:7-13 imagining you are there experiencing the events with Peter and John.
Luke tells us that the Festival of Unleavened Bread had arrived and that the time had come to “sacrifice” the Passover lamb. This festival was a yearly reminder of the time almost 1500 years before when God brought the Israelite slaves out of their captivity in Egypt through a series of miraculous interventions.
As the final intervention claimed the lives of the firstborn of the Egyptians, the Israelites were spared by the blood of a lamb painted above the doors of their houses. This bloody symbol kept death away from the Israelites at that point in time, but it did not spare them from death later on.
As Passover dawned in first century Israel, the Lamb of God was about to willingly lay down his life to set all people free from the bondage of rebellion. By sacrificing his life he would triumph over death once and for all. This would be the most miraculous intervention of all time.
Stop to contemplate the connection between the liberation of the Israelites from bondage and the freedom so freely offered by Jesus. Then meditate on Jesus words from John’s Gospel:
“I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son or daughter is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” – John 8:34-40
Read Luke 22:7-13 again.
Peter and John are two of the three disciples who witnessed Jesus’ glorious transfiguration on the mountain. Now Jesus’ instructs them to prepare the final meal he will share with his closest followers.
This interaction between Jesus and these disciples is a picture of what it means to believe in Jesus and then act on what he says. He tells them to “go,” and they ask “where?” and Jesus reveals what only he can know about how they can carry out his instructions. He does not explain the larger significance of this Passover meal, nor does he tell them what will happen after the meal. He gives them only the steps they need for the moment. And they do exactly what he says.
Take some time to meditate on this simple picture of trust and obedience. Then listen to see if Jesus has something he wants you to notice.
Is Jesus asking you to do something today?
Will you?
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