These few verses remind us that Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. How else could He have known exactly where a certain water-bearer would be at exactly the time His disciples would enter Jerusalem?

Moreover, here we also see Jesus’ complete control of the situation – for how else could He command the use of someone else’s house? It is clear that He inspired tremendous loyalty among a large segment of the population of Jerusalem, as so many people were expecting Him to lead them in a revolt against the Romans.

No, there can be no doubt that Jesus chose to die on the cross. With that kind of foreknowledge, with that kind of power and influence He could have easily avoided arrest. In fact, given all the rest of the miracles He did, He could have done exactly what His tormentors bid Him do after He was crucified – He could have come down from the cross at any time. Let’s face it – removing a few nails wouldn’t have been much of a stretch for the Man Who had walked on the water and Who had brought Lazarus back from the dead.

No, it’s clear that He chose to go to the cross, and He chose to remain there until He died. And why did He do that? Because the night He was arrested is the night the Passover lambs were slain. He was thus making it clear that He was choosing to be our Passover lamb, the One slain so that the rest of the flock might be saved, the One whose shed blood causes God to pass over us, not punishing us for our sins.

Jesus was no unwilling victim. He made a conscious choice to die for sinners like you and me. Isn’t He worthy of your love and trust today?

Mark 14:12-16 (NASB)

12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
13 And He sent two of His disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him;
14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘
15 “And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; and prepare for us there.”
16 And the disciples went out, and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.