“Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” Mark 14:15
The disciples had asked Jesus where they were to make ready for the Passover. Jesus gave them directions to a place that was ready and waiting for this use. I had to pause when I read this because it made me think about my life.
Those who want to be used by the Lord must be furnished and prepared. We must live in the place of readiness, and if we truly love the Lord, we will live in this place of readiness because our love for Him will compel us to draw near.
What does a furnished and prepared life look like? I’d welcome your input on this. As I was thinking about this, the following things came to mind: being full of the Holy Spirit, being increasingly surrendered and yielded to God, being a person of the Word and prayer.
In verses 13-14, when Jesus was ready for that room He gave directions to the disciples:
Go into the city
There will be a man
He will be carrying a pitcher of water
Follow him to a house
Speak to the master of the house
Jesus knew exactly where the room was. And He knows exactly where we are. He knows those who have faithfully devoted themselves to drawing near to Him, and when He is looking for someone to use in this wonderful task of sharing the gospel, He knows how to find us.
Oh, that we would live in this place of readiness, free from the many distractions of this world, and with our hearts set on knowing Him. Lord, help us to be furnished and prepared.
The first thing that comes to mind is that we must first position ourselves to hear Him speak. In the past year, to my personal situation, there was a period where I heard Him say, ‘trust’; another period where I heard Him say, ‘fight’; and lately I have heard Him say, ‘follow’.
You’re absolutely right. You know, perhaps this man that provided the upper room for our Lord and His disciples had made the offer for Jesus to use it long before this happened. Maybe on a previous trip to Jerusalem, Jesus had encountered this man and he had simply told the Lord that He could use this room any time He was in town.
I personally think that this man had offered all that he had for the Lord’s use. He made himself available for the Lord to use at any time. He was not standing idly by, waiting, we see that he was bearing a pitcher of water: he was about his business.
Since it was the Passover and throngs of people were in Jerusalem, I wonder if there weren’t other people who would have paid him well to rent it for the night. It was indeed “furnished and prepared” for use, the man had probably made it ready for someone else. Yet at the word of the Lord, he gave it to be used by Him.
“The Master saith…” was all the reason he needed to change his plans and offer all that he had for the service of Jesus. May all of our lives be so dedicated to Him!
He is my Delight 
The first thing that comes to mind is that we must first position ourselves to hear Him speak. In the past year, to my personal situation, there was a period where I heard Him say, ‘trust’; another period where I heard Him say, ‘fight’; and lately I have heard Him say, ‘follow’.
I’ll let that do for now.
Awesome post!
You’re absolutely right. You know, perhaps this man that provided the upper room for our Lord and His disciples had made the offer for Jesus to use it long before this happened. Maybe on a previous trip to Jerusalem, Jesus had encountered this man and he had simply told the Lord that He could use this room any time He was in town.
I personally think that this man had offered all that he had for the Lord’s use. He made himself available for the Lord to use at any time. He was not standing idly by, waiting, we see that he was bearing a pitcher of water: he was about his business.
Since it was the Passover and throngs of people were in Jerusalem, I wonder if there weren’t other people who would have paid him well to rent it for the night. It was indeed “furnished and prepared” for use, the man had probably made it ready for someone else. Yet at the word of the Lord, he gave it to be used by Him.
“The Master saith…” was all the reason he needed to change his plans and offer all that he had for the service of Jesus. May all of our lives be so dedicated to Him!
In Christ,
Loren
Loren, these are great insights. Thanks for sharing.