Luke 22:7-13 - Simply trust

The home and family based Passover celebration had changed since its institution in the book of Exodus. By the time of Jesus, Passover lambs were slaughtered in the temple and brought home for the meal. Furthermore, the meal which was originally celebrated with family members, could be celebrated by a master with his disciples, so long as there were ten or more of them. The Passover celebration was not just another festival. It was intended to help God's people to recall how He had delivered them from their bondage. Hence, it was no co-incidence that the Lord's sacrifice should take place during the Passover. For He is the ultimate sacrificial Lamb that could truly deliver one from the guilt and weight of sin.

In Luke 22:7-13, the place where Jesus was going to celebrate the Passover with His disciples was unknown to them. Jesus had kept it a secret because He probably knew of Judas’ arrangement with the Sanhedrin. He didn't want him to alert the authority and made known where their Passover meal would be held. It was a closely kept secret till the proper time. Like Luke 19:30, where He sent the two disciples to fetch the donkey for His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, He now sent Peter and John to prepare the place for the Passover meal.

The indicator to them would be a man carrying a pitcher of water. This would make it easier for them to recognize the person who would lead them to the place. In Jesus' day, only women carry pitchers for water, not the men. A man would usually use a leather water bag instead. When they had identified that man, Jesus told them that they would be led to the exact house. The owner would then show them the large furnished upper room, to prepare for the meal. Peter and John left on their assignment and found everything exactly as the Lord had said.

Many lessons could be gleaned from this passage. But one key message to us is to have simple trust in the Lord. He knows exactly what we need to do. As His instructions to Peter and John were clear, His instructions to us will also be clear if we are attentive. So we need to be near enough to hear. What is important also is to trust Him enough to act. We may not know our future. Truly, many things about tomorrow, we don‘t really understand. But He does. He holds our future and our lives in His hand. So let’s just abandon ourselves to Him in sweet surrender and simply trust Him to guide and lead.