Preparations for the Passover
7 Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
8 And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”
9 They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?”
10 And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters.
11 “And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’
12 “And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.”
13 And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
Observations & Reflections
Luke’s gospel took a sharp turn in the previous passage as Judas offers to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. At this point Judas will be showing up to the last supper having already betrayed Jesus. Judas must now have a meal with the man that he will soon be turning into the religious leaders to prosecution. Is Jesus aware of the plot just yet? it is hard to know but he does know with enough time that he was able to make Judas aware the he knew, whilst they were eating.
The days of Unleavened Bread were significant to the setup in Luke’s gospel story (as well as the other gospels) since Jesus will soon become the passover lamb. We have heard this many times but it is not just symbolic. Jesus was crucified during the passover. This was no accident. It was a message to the people that Jesus was the sacrifice for all.
Moreover, the passover was a time of escape from bondage from the Egyptians. The Jewish people would have to be covered with the blood of the lamb to escape death the reach freedom. Likewise, all those who claim the blood of Christ over their lives will be protected from death and have the freedom from the bondage of sin.
The fact that Jesus instructs his disciples to find a man in the city with a pitcher of water may not be of any miraculous nature. It’s entirely possible that Jesus made arrangements for the last supper ahead of time. However, Matthew’s telling of the story would lead one to believe that it was a miracle of sorts, stating that Jesus sent his disciples to find a “certain man” in the city. Luke’s detail makes the story seem a bit more filled out and less mystical in nature. Although, Jesus is known for providing such miracles, such as with the colt to ride on the coin from the fish’s mouth.