LentenThoughts: Matthew 26:17-19
Monday, March 9, 2009 at 03:10PM 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
A couple of things stand out to me in this passage. First, it brings home to me the reality that Christ had no home in which to prepare the meal and forceably reminds me of the extent to which He humbled Himself on my behalf.
though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 1so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2
Next, the readiness and willingness of the disciples to prepare the Passover for Christ. The preparation of the Passover is no small task! The lamb had to be offered and then roasted; the bitter herbs prepared; the table set, the bread and wine readied. It was a day of preparation and, for the disciples, a day of service. The preparation the woman had begun with her jar of ointment, the disciples carried forward for, as Jesus said, His time was at hand.
Jesus directed them to 'a certain man.' I wonder who this man was. How intimately did he know Christ? Did he really understand what Jesus meant when He said, "My time is at hand?" Jesus' words were a command, not a request and it seems clear that this man was not only willing, he was ready. Like the woman and the disciples, he also had the privilege to serve Jesus in a very personal way and at a very crucial time.
The Passover table was set, in the very manner that God had ordained beforehand.
Reader Comments (2)
Great thoughts, Kim. I always find it amazing that Jesus died at Passover. It reminds me of just how much God is in control of the events of the world at all times. His timing is perfect and profound. It is striking too that there is this parallel preparing going on. It's like one event works as an explanation of the other...
(Sorry, if my thoughts are not clear - I'm writing through a post-migraine blur but wanted to respond. It's nice studying the Bible with you. I hope you are well and I'm looooving your new set up! The green is beautiful and the white is so crisp and clean! A very fresh look. Love to you!).
Good thoughts, Kim. I like the new look, too.