Mark 14:12-16 – Christ had it all in control

These verses deal with the preparation of the Last Supper Jesus would have with the disciples. This unique event formed the bridge between the communion that the Christians celebrate and the Jewish Passover that signifies God’s act of deliverance from the bondage of Egypt on the night of the Passover.  Here in the Last supper, bread and wine were used in remembrance of the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection, to enact the covenant of God with the believers.  

Like the Passover, the Last Supper is also a forward looking event. Just as the Passover anticipates the great final deliverance of God, the Lord’s Supper also anticipates the grand banquet with the Messiah in the new heaven and new earth.

As the Passover meal was always celebrated in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples had to find a place in that Holy City as they were staying in Bethany. Jesus here took on the role of the head of the household to lead the feast. Verse 12 suggests that the disciples came offering to help in the preparation, only to realize that the Lord had it all arranged. Much like the earlier situation when He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on the colt, this one was also arranged by the Lord Himself.

Here again the Lord sent out two of His disciples to do the task. They were told to watch out for a man carrying a water jar who would lead them to the place for the meal. Why a man and not a woman? This would help to make it easy for the two disciples to spot the man. For in those days only women carry water jars, whereas men would carry water skin. Why all this careful preparation? And why did the Lord keep this a secret? We can venture a guess. Firstly, it’s probably because He didn’t want Judas to have wind of it and inform the authority and had Him arrested prematurely. Secondly, He wanted the place and the time to make known the centrality of His redemptive act - His broken body and shed blood.

What we are clear about in all this arrangement, is to show us that He had it all in control. He did not go to His death haphazardly or accidentally. It was a deliberate part of His coming. He obediently chose this path to fulfil the plan of God for the redemption of mankind. His death was no accident. He was in control. He was the master of His own life, and the circumstances that would ensure our redemption.

We can be sure that He does take care of the nitty-gritty of our lives too. We are glad that He didn’t leave our redemption to chance. It tells us how valuable we are in His sight. God Himself was involved in getting our redemption going. No wonder Paul exhorts us to live our lives for the praise of His glory! And so we must!