Prepared

Luke 22:1-13 (The Message)

1-2 The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near.

The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.

3-6 That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve.

Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them.

They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well.

He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd.

7-8 The Day of Unleavened Bread came, the day the Passover lamb was butchered. Jesus sent Peter and John off, saying, "Go prepare the Passover for us so we can eat it together."

9 They said, "Where do you want us to do this?"

10-12 He said, "Keep your eyes open as you enter the city. A man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him home. Then speak with the owner of the house: The Teacher wants to know, 'Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?' He will show you a spacious second-story room, swept and ready. Prepare the meal there."

13 They left, found everything just as he told them, and prepared the Passover meal.

As we enter this 22nd chapter of Luke together, things will begin moving quickly.

The hour has come. The clock is now ticking. The wheels are in motion.

Everything has been prepared, and the moment that this story's "bad guys" have been looking for has finally presented itself. Judas present himself to them, prepared to sell Jesus for a profit.

Judas is not the only disciple with a role to play. Peter and John have a job to do, too.

Jesus sends them on ahead for a room that they will find prepared. This is the "upper room" of the very first communion, the "last supper."

"Where?" we hear Peter and John ask. It's almost as though they are saying, "show us the way through this terrible week," although they do not yet understand how painful it will be.

Jesus' answer is that everything is prepared. They need only follow his instruction.

So much of life really seems to be this way. So much is prepared and ready. We live in an incredible world, prepared by God especially for our existence and to sustain the gift of life.

We need only to follow his instruction, whatever it is. But following takes humility and trust.

There will be much more darkness in Luke before the glorious light. Jesus' search is for disciples who are prepared to follow.

Prayer: As we enter into the passion story in this Gospel, we pray for your light and preparation. May you guide every step of our spiritual path. Forgive us all of our betrayals, both small and large. Help us to be prepared for what you may unfold in our sight.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.