On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’”  He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says: My appointed time is near.  I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'”  So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

                                                                                                           Matthew 26:17-19

There was much left to do, and the tired feeling He had all week was now overcome by the pace with which everything was beginning to happen.

The disciples were on their way to the house in the city to prepare it to celebrate the Passover.  Celebrate.  That seemed like a strange word this time.  For He knew what it was they were to “celebrate”.

As soon as the disciples were on their way, he sat down by a well to find shade and quiet for just a moment from the mid-day sun.  And He remembered how He often during the last three years He found Himself around wells - and water.  Around those things which gave life.  And for just a moment His mind rushes back to those times.  To women with jars coming to draw water in the mid-day heat, to broken lives, to men with stones, to forgiveness - all at a well.

He brushes his hair back out of His face with both hands and holds them there in His hair as He stares out into the street.  He thinks about the disciples, about what they are doing at that very moment, and He realizes once again how much they don't understand.  They have gone to find the lamb to sacrifice for Passover.  But He has been with them all along.  They are so caught up in what they are doing, they have failed to stop and see what is right before their very eyes.

He smiles as He thinks about His friends.  At least they try, and in that is something.  They are good men.  And once again He asks his Father to stay with them.  And with Him.

He knows it is almost time . . .

"Father, Help us to understand, in our hearts, the true meaning of this week.  In Jesus' name, AMEN."

Grace,

Rev. Dan