Details. I love details.
I love how things come together with time and planning. I love details almost as much as I love the finished product. I love working the vision into a plan on paper and fleshing it out until it comes to life.
I live and breathe in the details.
I was reading in scripture of the Last Supper during the Passover season and what became the Friday before Jesus would be crucified. Passover Celebration was and is a time to remember the Israelite's being freed from slavery in Egypt, and then became the time where Jesus drew together those closest to Him for a very important and symbolic teaching, the body and the blood broken for us, but I skip ahead.
The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke record accounts of Jesus concern for the preparation of that meal together. In Matthew He says, “As you go into the city you will see a certain man. Tell him, “The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.” Matthew 26:18
How strange to me that he tells his disciples, you will see a certain man and that man will understand whom you are speaking of and open his home to you… no questions asked. And what man? How will they know him when they see him?
Mark accounts it in this way, “So as Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you Go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. As the house he enters, say to the owner, “The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare the meal.” So, the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said and they prepared the Passover meal there.” Mark 14:13-16
So that makes a little more sense… women, not men would have been going to the well for water. The man would be recognizable by the randomness of fetching water… but strange still, let us eat in your home, on a table you have prepared for this special celebration meal?
The book of Luke gives even more clarity, “Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal so we can all eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” They asked him.” “He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you, Follow him. At the house he enters, “say to the owner, “The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal. They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.” Luke 22:8-13
All these accounts show me that Jesus knew… He knew there would be a man, carrying a pitcher of water, at that time and that place, who would lead his disciples to a house with an upper room, preset for the Passover meal and that man would allow them access to his table for the purposes according to the Teacher’s request. These accounts make me wonder so many other things… Was this a communal cultural thing that permitted others entering and sharing with one another in this manner? The owner of the home clearly knew who Jesus was, I assume he was a follower of Jesus…
I think of how many events I have planned, large and small… I think of the specific detail that goes into each one being pulled off without a hitch, certainly the Passover meal is no different. There are specifications and dietary restrictions that go into each one, the disciples were to prepare that meal. In the details, Jesus was looking for and found a prepared table and an open heart.
Today, culturally, Easter means different things to different people… Some carry-on traditions of the past, gathering together, eating together, providing fun games and activities the kiddos. Nothing more...
For others, like my family, Easter is a time to remember Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, given freely for all of mankind, for those who would believe in Him, call upon His name and surrender themselves to him. He was the price paid for the sins of man…
My mom is preparing Easter dinner, even as I type this to you. She is seasoning the lamb, she is making the side dishes and finishing dessert. Later I will go over to help her set the table and prepare the room for extended family and friends. Specific foods, specific dinnerware, and hearts that welcome others in with joy. Tomorrow we will attend church and hear the Message, we will worship Him for all He has done and make much of His name. We will strive to keep Him the focus for this is His season…
Passover Friday came… and Jesus broke His bread and drank His wine, foretelling of things to come.
Good Friday came… and Jesus surrendered Himself on the Cross. Tetelestai, It Is Finished!
Saturday was silent and full of mourning…
Sunday… Jesus rose from the grave, defeated death… and brought with Him a new Hope and complete Joy.
Jesus is in the details, never forget… or perhaps, fully understand for the first time that He prepared a place at the table for you, specifically and strategically. He invites you to dine with Him.
Happy Easter all!
I love how things come together with time and planning. I love details almost as much as I love the finished product. I love working the vision into a plan on paper and fleshing it out until it comes to life.
I live and breathe in the details.
I was reading in scripture of the Last Supper during the Passover season and what became the Friday before Jesus would be crucified. Passover Celebration was and is a time to remember the Israelite's being freed from slavery in Egypt, and then became the time where Jesus drew together those closest to Him for a very important and symbolic teaching, the body and the blood broken for us, but I skip ahead.
The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke record accounts of Jesus concern for the preparation of that meal together. In Matthew He says, “As you go into the city you will see a certain man. Tell him, “The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.” Matthew 26:18
How strange to me that he tells his disciples, you will see a certain man and that man will understand whom you are speaking of and open his home to you… no questions asked. And what man? How will they know him when they see him?
Mark accounts it in this way, “So as Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you Go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. As the house he enters, say to the owner, “The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare the meal.” So, the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said and they prepared the Passover meal there.” Mark 14:13-16
So that makes a little more sense… women, not men would have been going to the well for water. The man would be recognizable by the randomness of fetching water… but strange still, let us eat in your home, on a table you have prepared for this special celebration meal?
The book of Luke gives even more clarity, “Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal so we can all eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” They asked him.” “He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you, Follow him. At the house he enters, “say to the owner, “The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal. They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.” Luke 22:8-13
All these accounts show me that Jesus knew… He knew there would be a man, carrying a pitcher of water, at that time and that place, who would lead his disciples to a house with an upper room, preset for the Passover meal and that man would allow them access to his table for the purposes according to the Teacher’s request. These accounts make me wonder so many other things… Was this a communal cultural thing that permitted others entering and sharing with one another in this manner? The owner of the home clearly knew who Jesus was, I assume he was a follower of Jesus…
I think of how many events I have planned, large and small… I think of the specific detail that goes into each one being pulled off without a hitch, certainly the Passover meal is no different. There are specifications and dietary restrictions that go into each one, the disciples were to prepare that meal. In the details, Jesus was looking for and found a prepared table and an open heart.
Today, culturally, Easter means different things to different people… Some carry-on traditions of the past, gathering together, eating together, providing fun games and activities the kiddos. Nothing more...
For others, like my family, Easter is a time to remember Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, given freely for all of mankind, for those who would believe in Him, call upon His name and surrender themselves to him. He was the price paid for the sins of man…
My mom is preparing Easter dinner, even as I type this to you. She is seasoning the lamb, she is making the side dishes and finishing dessert. Later I will go over to help her set the table and prepare the room for extended family and friends. Specific foods, specific dinnerware, and hearts that welcome others in with joy. Tomorrow we will attend church and hear the Message, we will worship Him for all He has done and make much of His name. We will strive to keep Him the focus for this is His season…
Passover Friday came… and Jesus broke His bread and drank His wine, foretelling of things to come.
Good Friday came… and Jesus surrendered Himself on the Cross. Tetelestai, It Is Finished!
Saturday was silent and full of mourning…
Sunday… Jesus rose from the grave, defeated death… and brought with Him a new Hope and complete Joy.
Jesus is in the details, never forget… or perhaps, fully understand for the first time that He prepared a place at the table for you, specifically and strategically. He invites you to dine with Him.
Happy Easter all!
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