Amazing God of holiness and peace, pour out a rich blessing upon the needs and challenges of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Here is our text for today, Thursday of Holy Week: Luke 22: 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it." 9 They asked him, "Where do you want us to make preparations for it?" 10 "Listen," he said to them, "when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, "The teacher asks you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" ' 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there." 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.
Everything falls into place. Everything will work out. I say that often to nervous brides-to-be, and grieving family members. It is amazing how in all circumstances where we pray and ask God to be present that things do work out. On this Thursday of Holy Week, the disciples knew that they had to be somewhere to celebrate the very important holy day of their faith, the Passover and they knew they needed a place. They had to sacrifice a lamb for Passover and then celebrate together the meal. This passage makes it seem as if they hadn't yet planned a thing. Do you suppose Jesus' messages about not worrying and especially upon their seeing that in all situations Jesus had come through, had had an effect on them? Here again, their trust in Jesus came through: Jesus said, Just as you enter the city you will see a man carrying a jar of water, who will meet you. Follow that man inot the house he enters and just tell him that 'the teacher asks of him, "Where is your guest room that He can use to eat the Passover with His disciples."' The room will be already prepared. It was just as Jesus had told them.
In our lives, if we invite Jesus in and trust Him at His word, we will find that everything will be just as He told us. On this day where the night is special to Christians everywhere, we will find that the words spoken tonight in our worship services will re-tell the story of power and might in our lives. We will find everything will be just as Jesus told us. The breaking of the bread will remind us of what happened on that Friday that followed. The shaing of the cup will remind us that blood was spilled to forgive us our sins. We will find that everything will be just as Jesus told us.
What's the catch? You should be in worship tonight! Surprise your pastor and make an appearance!
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank You for Jesus and for how Jesus works in my life when I let Him. Sometimes I think I know how things will turn out because of my hard work and all that I try to do to make sure all the details are worked out, and I even think I get extra points for worrying so much. Help me discover (again) that everything will be just as Your son told us. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
PS: Most churches will have a special service tonight; if yours does not, find one that does. Our church here in Harlingen is joining with our sister church, Wesley UMC, to celebrate Maundy Thursday together there at Wesley at 7 p.m. I hope to see you here!
Blessings!
