Prepare a place for Him

Passover was just days away and the disciples asked Jesus where He wanted them to make preparations for Him to eat the Passover. This was an important event and many Jews had been preparing for it for months ahead.

“The meaning of Passover was explained in each synagogue and Jewish school, so that no one would be unprepared. As pilgrims streamed into Jerusalem, they noticed that every tomb near a road was painted with fresh whitewash, so they would know where the tombs were and would not accidentally defile themselves by brushing against a tomb.” (Blue Letter Bible)

It was a festive time with many families gathering together. The whole city of Jerusalem was full of people and the crowds were large. Many people who heard and saw Jesus in the region of Galilee were there, with great respect and great expectation regarding Jesus.

Jesus’ answer to his disciple’s question was, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” (Mark 14:13-15) Jesus wanted a quiet, unknown place to celebrate the Passover with his disciples.

The chief priests were trying to kill Him and Judas was looking for an opportunity to betray Him. The crowds were anxious to see Him and Jesus eagerly desired to eat the Passover with His disciples before he suffered because He would not eat it again until it found it’s fulfillment in the kingdom of God. (Luke 22:15-16)

The disciples left and found things just as Jesus told them. Jesus knew all about the owner of this large upper room and that it was already furnished and made ready. This person was ready when the Savior called and gave his best.

Jesus needed a place where He could give His final instructions to His disciples. A place where He could share communion and its sacred purpose. A place where He lovingly washed His disciple’s feet. A place where He prayed with them.

As believers we are called to be ready and we can prepare a place for Him too. We may not know when we will be called upon, but like the man in the story we can be ready. We are truly blessed when we are prepared for a call from Jesus.

“The true blessedness is to be ready for whatever calls He may make on us. These may sometimes be sudden and unlooked for. But the preparation for obeying the most sudden or exacting summons of His is to have our hearts in fellowship with Him. The blessings continue when He comes into our hearts, and accepts our service. Our greatest blessedness is that He does come into the narrow room of our hearts: ‘If any man open the door, I will sup with him.'” How honored that man felt then! How much more so as years went on! (McLaren)

But we are not the only ones preparing a place. Isn’t it just like our Savior to lead by example. Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3) Just reading that makes me want to give my all to Him, my very best.

As we prepare for Easter we have the same beautiful moments with Christ to look forward too. Sharing communion, serving each other and praying. Is your upper room, your heart, prepared and ready?

My prayer

Father, thank you for communion, for Your acts of love and service and for the opportunity to pray with you continually. Help us to prepare our hearts for Easter and for whatever purpose You desire. Thank you for this time to celebrate Your resurrection! Come Lord Jesus! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

John 14: 3

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”