Bible 365 Devotional

JESUS HAS A PLAN

MATTHEW 26:17-19

MATTHEW 26:17-19 NKJ 
17 Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, ā€œWhere do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?ā€ 
18 And He said, ā€œGo into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ā€˜The Teacher says, ā€œMy time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.ā€ ā€™ ā€ 
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. 

There is a whole lot going on in this chapter.  A woman anoints Jesus.  Judas betrays Jesus.  Jesus praying in the garden.  Jesus facing the Sanhedrin.  Peter denying Jesus.  It's a full chapter.   

And right in the middle are these three verses with a meaning that goes beyond surface level.   

The disciples ask Jesus where He wanted to eat the Passover meal. This was an important Jewish feast day and an important meal, but it doesn't seem to be a major item.  At least, not a question you would ask Jesus about.  But the disciples asked anyway, and Jesus had an answer.  He told them where to go and what to say when they got there.  In other gospels, we find out they were to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water and ask at his house.   

The disciples did exactly as Jesus said and prepared the meal.   

What stands out to me is the fact that the disciples asked about a small thing, and Jesus had a plan that worked perfectly.  But they asked.   

  

Application

In Proverbs 3:5-6 we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.  And if we will acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths.   

How often have I made plans without acknowledging Him?  Maybe because it's a small thing.  But what if we began to acknowledge Him in all our ways?  His direction can cause things to work out so much better.  It's a matter of trust.  We can trust the Lord in the big things.  We can also trust Him in the small things.  And if we'll learn to trust and acknowledge Him in the things that don't seem to be a big deal, it will help us when we do face the tougher questions of life.   

The disciples became accustomed to asking Jesus for His direction.  And yet He said it was good that He was going to the Father.  He would then send the Holy Spirit to be our Helper and guide 24/7.  The Holy Spirit came in Jesus' place to help us.  So trust, ask, acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths.   

  

Prayer

Thank You, Lord.  You have a plan.  If I ask and acknowledge, You will direct me by Your Holy Spirit.  And Your directions work.

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