John a Provider for the Passover

     “He sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the
     Passover, that we may eat.”—­Luke xxii. 8.

     “And they went ... and they made ready the Passover.”—­v. 13.

The last time we saw Judas was when he left the feast of Bethany, murmuring at Mary’s deed, angry at the Lord’s defence of her, and plotting against Him.  “From that time He sought opportunity to betray Him.”

“The day ... came on which the Passover must be sacrificed.”  A lamb must be provided and slain in the Temple for Jesus and His disciples.  Moreover a place must be provided for them to eat it.  This preparation would naturally fall on Judas, the treasurer of the company, whom at a later hour the disciples thought Jesus instructed to buy some things for the feast.  The place in Jesus’ mind was yet a secret, unknown to the disciples, including Judas who could not therefore reveal it to His enemies.  Who shall be entrusted with the service which He needed, and be in sympathy with Him in the solemn approaching hour?  Not Judas.  The two who had been the heralds of the King should be His messengers.  So “He sent Peter and John saying, Go and make ready for us the Passover that we may eat.”  Again and again we shall find Peter and John together in circumstances of joy and sorrow, trial and triumph.  Their first question was a very natural one, “Where wilt Thou that we make ready?” The Lord’s secret was not at once revealed.  He gave them a sign by which their question would be answered—­another proof of His divine fore-knowledge.  He told them to go into the city, entering which they would find a man bearing a pitcher of water.  Him they were to follow to the house he entered, and tell its owner of His purpose to keep the Passover there.  In a furnished room they were to prepare for His coming.  They were full of curiosity, but had no doubt concerning the result of their errand.  They trusted Him who had entrusted them with it.

Soon at the public fountain they were watching for the servant who should be their guide.  Having done “as Jesus appointed them,” they “found as He said unto them.”  As instructed they said “unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?”

“The goodman of the house” is the only name by which this owner has been known.  Some have thought He was Joseph of Arimathaea; others the Father of Saint Mark; others Mark himself.  It is the name by which Jesus has called Him; that is honor enough.  Without doubt he was a friend of the Lord.  Perhaps like Nicodemus he had come to Him privately for instruction.  He was ready to do what he could for His necessities when homeless in Jerusalem.  He was ready to give Him a place of protection when, that very night, His enemies were seeking His life.  Peter and John may never have met this unnamed disciple before.  If so, it was doubtless the beginning of an acquaintance close and tender between them and him who was “the last host of the Lord, and the first host of His Church.”