Luke 22:1-13 Judas prepares his betrayal, The disciples prepare the Passover. But Jesus is preparing for the greatest event in all of human history!
How was Judas preparing for this Passover festival? What went through his mind? What was his motivation?
Luke carefully points out, it was not really his personal greed, but other forces are at work here. And his plan is being controlled by the devil. Others are in play here, and the guilt is not on the Jews, but their leaders who organize the events coming up. Rising hatred for the one who is more popular than they are, and who is a threat to their way of life as well as their religion!
The disciples are preparing a meal. Experiencing the work of a prophet again. Caught up in the moment, but unable to see the big picture that is unfolding. They do not suspect that one of their own is involved in this great moment in history. They simply set the stage: thinking it is just another Passover, they do not see the implications of what they are doing. Would they have been involved if they had? Did they not flee when Jesus was arrested, fading away because they feared for their own lives?
Jesus is preparing for the greatest victory and moves towards both great suffering and great faith. The preparation at this Passover meal is about the events that will unfold in prophetic form at the coming meal. He wants to prepare the disciples for their future task that lies ahead of them, knowing he has to do this one thing alone. But he does see the whole picture and knows he is committed to it. He lays out the plan and sets the stage for what goes down.
Do we trust Jesus with the preparations for our lives? Do we believe he sees the big picture and loves us in the midst of all we are going through? Put your trust in God! If he carefully planned this out to the smallest detail, then he knows the smallest detail of your life as well!