Two different plans

TWO DIFFERENT PLANS

Not many words today. Tomorrow the reading is longer. Today we see two plans afoot. One is the plan to kill Jesus…the other is the plan of Jesus to celebrate the Passover. In a few days those plans will intersect, but it is Jesus’ timetable, not theirs.

And while those plans will meet, do not be confused, one is a plan of destruction…and one is a plan of salvation.

Take a read through and then I will share a final thought.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. ² And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Judas to Betray Jesus

³ Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. ⁴ He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. ⁵ And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶ So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

The Passover with the Disciples

⁷ Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. ⁸ So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” ⁹ They said to him, “Where would you have us prepare it?” ¹⁰ He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters ¹¹ and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ¹² And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” ¹³ And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

We see Judas busy making his preparations…and the disciples making preparations for the Passover. Think about what it is like for you a day before a big dinner; maybe Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Think about how your mind is occupied with details. For me in the middle of all the details I long for it “to be right and good”. I don’t mean the food and the party…I mean the spirit of the thing. Usually as the details pile up, I find myself praying, “Lord help us to have a good family Thanksgiving.” You probably know the feeling. Maybe you know the prayer. These special days we have, with their rich history of meaning, don’t always come off as intended. How about you for this coming week…what is your prayer for all the special days coming up?

Spend some time thinking about what lies in front of Jesus and pray today that it will be meaningful for you. After all this is the moment in history when God enacts His plan of salvation.