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A Large Upper Room

Read: Mark 14:12-16

He will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. (v. 15)

There was no mistake that it was during the Jewish feast of the Passover that Jesus and his disciples found themselves nearing Jerusalem. Little did the disciples realize that one greater than the lambs being sacrificed in the temple nearby was in their midst. Very soon, Jesus, the Lamb of God, would take away the sins of the world by his sacrifice on the cross.

But the disciples were concerned about where they would eat the Passover. A room had to be reserved and preparations had to be made. Evidently, Jesus had already made the preparations. Designating two disciples, he instructed them to go into the city and look for a man who was carrying a jar of water. That detail may not mean much to us, but a man carrying a jar of water would stick out like a sore thumb—such a task was always done by women. They were to follow this man and he would lead them to “a large upper room.”

It was there that Jesus, the true “Passover Lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7), would give new meaning to the Passover meal. In what we have come to know as the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus broke the bread as a sign of his soon to be broken body and shared the cup as a sign of his blood to be shed for our sins. —John Koedyker

As you pray, ask God to prepare your heart to receive him in all of life’s opportunities and challenges.

About the Author

John Koedyker

Rev. John C. Koedyker is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. He has served as a missionary to Japan as well as pastor of several churches in Iowa and Michigan. Until recently he served Muskegon Classis as its Stated Clerk for 18 years. He resides in Grand Haven, Michigan.