Slideshow image

Mark 14:13-15
[Jesus] sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs.”

To ponder
God’s intention in creating the universe, it seems, is to create a place where all human beings could live as brothers and sisters in a community of faith, hope, and love, united by God’s Holy Spirit with Jesus Christ … in harmony with the whole created universe. - William A. Barry, Paying Attention to God

Our story
No, no, this room is much too small. And those chairs, chilly and stiff, don’t you think? We need something bigger, warmer. That’s what I would have said about the room in today’s picture, were I one of those two disciples. Fortunately, they found something more spacious and hospitable, and it’s a good thing they did. Contrary to common depictions, there likely were more than twelve followers with Jesus at the last supper, and they probably reclined on cushions, no chairs needed.

Those two disciples went to find the room fit for Passover, a holy meal that tells a story of deliverance and hope. Passover recounts how God freed the people of Israel from bondage. Each person at the meal participates as the story is told so that they know, This is my story. My life is part of the great story of God’s liberating love.

Jesus was about to write one more chapter in that story, surrendering his life to reveal the fullness of God’s death-killing love and forgiveness for everyone - even for those who put him to death.

So he needed a big room, spacious and warm, for a story and a love that no room can hold.

Prayer
Move our hearts to sing the story of your love, O Lord, and to proclaim your faithfulness forever Amen.

(from: “A Story to Tell: Devotions for Lent” Bekki Lohrmann, Harvard Stephens Jr., Lydia Posselt, David L. Miller; Augsburg Fortress, 2020)