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All In His Plan

Mark 14:13-16
So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, '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.' The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. (NIVUK)

Jesus had reserved a suitable room for the Passover meal (Last Supper).  He had already made the arrangements with the necessary security built in.  All the details of this covert operation for two unnamed disciples had been worked out: the silent street encounter with the water carrier leading to the rendezvous; the password and the final instructions.  All they had to do was to do as they were told.

As always, Jesus revealed enough of His plan to enable the disciples to have the confidence for the next step.  There were enough clues to reassure the disciples that they were on track at each stage.  Of course, all this was to set the stage for Jesus to fill - as the host at the meal and the teacher He would share His last words.  But for the disciples, it was something they had to do.  They probably assumed that this Passover would be like every other.  They could not foresee the consequences of their obedient actions, but it was all in Jesus' plan.  He knew and directed the operation: their role was to obey.

As they walked the dark streets, the details unpacked as Jesus had said in the same way that they sourced the donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem a few days earlier (Luke 19:32).  Although they could not see the end from the beginning, that was irrelevant because Jesus knew it all: He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).  What mattered was that they were entrusted with their part and that Jesus, who started the project, would complete it to His satisfaction.

Like them, we are unable to see the future, and we are not expected to second guess our Master's intentions.  All we know is that He knows what He is doing, and that He asks us to play some small part - however strange the role may seem to be.  He does not give us the whole story so that we can be independent of Him, but He reveals enough for us to trust and obey (Deuteronomy 29:29).  Obedience in such circumstances is a privileged responsibility (note that only two of the disciples were trusted in this story).  And it is not about how the disciples would make a name for themselves, but about how the Master would be able to use their obedience.  Is there something you know Jesus asks of you, but you cannot see where it is going or how it will work out?  Start by taking the first step!

Prayer 
Dear Lord. Thank You that You know the future, that every day is shaped by Your big plan. Forgive me for either rushing ahead of You or failing to keep up with You. Help me to be willing to be obedient to play whatever small part You have allocated to me, so that what You have planned will glorify You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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