Mark 14:12-16

Out of town family are coming. You’re planning a surprise birthday party. Guests are coming for dinner and you want the meal and table to be perfect. Your co-worker is retiring, and you are in charge of the party preparations. All these events require expectation, thoughtful planning, and preparation.

Perhaps you buy a new set of softer sheets for your out-of-town company. You run to Party City for birthday balloons and pretty plates. A special cut of meat is selected as the recipe suggests. A decorated cake is ordered for the retirement gathering.

In our scripture today we are told, “He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there. The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.” The preparations of the disciples didn’t involve balloons or decorated cakes, new recipes, or pretty dinnerware. No doubt, the preparations offered the best the disciples had to offer. With the exception of Judas, the disciples came to the Passover meal with expectations of commitment and loyalty to Jesus.

As we recognize the season of Lent, what do we bring to the table? Do we bring commitment and loyalty to Jesus? Do we bring compassionate hearts to care for one another? Do we bring the best to Jesus that we have to offer? Or are we so caught in the demands of day-to-day life that we don’t see past the details and fuss of our own expectations?

Let this be the season for us to fix our loyal eyes upon Jesus.

Dear Lord, quiet our hearts during this Lenten season. Calm our expectations. Let our day-to-day preparations start and end in quiet conversation with You. In all our actions today, help us be loyal to You.

Contributed by June Huff