The Orchestra Of Obedience (Mark 14:12-21)

In 1982, Byron Preiss published a very unusual book. If you’re a child of the 80’s and 90’s like me, you remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books. Preiss took the idea to another level. His book, The Secret, contained not just a story, but a set of clues that corresponded to the real world.

You see, the year before his book came out, Byron buried 12 ceramic boxes (which he called ‘casques’) in 12 different cities, no more than three feet underground.^[1] Each box had a painting and a poem in the book which gave insight into what city and where in that city a box might be found.^[2] Though, there’s no sure way to tell which poems match with which paintings.

Should you discover one of these boxes, the casque is yours to keep. They’re worth more than $1,500 today.^[3] But inside the box you’ll find a key. Send the key in to the address in the book, and you will be rewarded with one of twelve precious gemstones that have been set aside in a vault.

Preiss expected the first box to be found within 30 days. But the clues were tougher than he realized. It took a year. In 44 years, only three of the twelve have been discovered. One in Chicago, one in Cleveland, one in Boston.^[4]

Over the years, various people connected with Preiss have verified which twelve cities the casques are buried in. The clues from the book are freely available online, with this line from the opening page: “You are cordially invited to participate.”

In our text, Jesus sends two of His disciples on a bit of a scavenger hunt. They need to know where to prepare the Passover meal, but instead of Jesus just giving them the address, He invites them into this exhilarating day of discipleship. Along the way, we’ll see there were others obeying, too.

It’s a fun story to read, but this was a serious and time-constrained day. The Passover meal had to happen that night. More importantly, Jesus was going to use that Passover meal to introduce not only the Lord’s Supper, but the new covenant! This is the most important, most significant meal in Jesus’ whole ministry. And He makes it a scavenger hunt!

As it plays out, we learn some things about discipleship, about walking by faith, and about being part of the orchestra of obedience, conducted by our Master.

Mark 14:12 – ¹² On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?”

Jesus and His disciples had been camping outside Jerusalem, as were many pilgrims. They spent their evenings in Bethany and the Mount of Olives. But regulations required Passover to be eaten within the city walls.^[5] Jerusalem is at least doubled in population. It might have a million people. Everyone’s crowding in to find a place. And they all have to go to the Temple in order to get a lamb that was slaughtered by the priests.^[6]

There were only a couple of days to accomplish this. I say a couple because Galileans and Judeans did celebrate Passover on different days.^[7]

They’re cutting it close. It’s day of. This wasn’t just a small, family meal. There would be at least 13 people in attendance. I don’t know how many of you have planned a catered party the day of and, if you don’t get the party done, you’re in violation of the law! That’s a lot of pressure.

But the thing I want us to focus most on is how we’re simply told the question was asked by “His disciples.” This text gives us no names but Jesus’. Four times it will say “disciples,” two times “the Twelve,” and five times just referring to they or them.

This situation is meant to teach us principles of discipleship. Remember, a disciple is not just someone who believes certain things. It is a person who is a learner and a follower. The term implies a close relationship than merely knowing information.^[8] It is those who love the Lord through obedience. Those who hear and are sent. Those who have a faith that walks.

Now, the question was straightforward. Jesus’ response was anything but.

Mark 14:13 – ¹³ So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.

Just tell us the house! You know, when the Holy Spirit sends Ananias to heal Paul, He says, “Go to this street, to this house, owned by this guy, and here’s what you’re going to do.”^[9] He could do that. And clearly Jesus knows not only the place, but exactly how the afternoon is going to play out.

But all He says is, “Go into the city.” And notice – the man with the jar would meet them, not vice versa. It’s like a reverse Where’s Waldo where Waldo finds you in a sea of people.

“Ok Lord, but where in the city?” “You’ll figure it out.”

It would be pretty easy to know which guy Jesus meant because it was not only unusual for a man to be carrying water, when they did they didn’t typically use an earthen jar, but a leather bottle.^[10]

Some commentators are convinced that Jesus had set all of this up beforehand in secret. That because the Sanhedrin was on the hunt for Him, it had to be undercover and clandestine. Maybe. But even so why not just tell His disciples? It’s Peter and John that are sent. They could be trusted. And Jesus doesn’t send them in disguise or under cover of night.

He just sends them to go, trusting God would accomplish this extremely necessary and time-sensitive task. Were they supposed to talk to the man? Did the man know he’s was going to be followed by a couple of rough fishermen? We’re not told.

What would you think if you went downtown on an errand and a couple of strangers started following you back to your house?

The Lord pulls back the curtain here. We are seeing how providence moves many pieces to accomplish heavenly goals. By the end, we’ll see there are all these different disciples, each worshipfully playing their part. An orchestra of obedience leading to spiritual outcomes.

Mark 14:14-15 – ¹⁴ Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.”

Who is the owner? How does Jesus know him? We don’t know. But let’s notice two things: First, the disciples were to identify Jesus as the Teacher. It is assumed that would mean something to this homeowner. I don’t think it goes to far to suggest that the homeowner is also a disciple. Now he’s not one of the Twelve. But he’s still a disciple. He’s still a crucial and meaningful part of this magnificent turning point in spiritual history, the move from Old covenant to New.

The second thing to notice is what Jesus said: “Where is My guest room?” The owner’s name was on the deed, but that room, that house, belonged to Jesus Christ.

All we have belongs to the Lord. Now, God gives us things to enjoy. And He has given us the freedom and responsibility to administrate the resources, money, and things that we have in this life. But it does belong to Him. Job 41: “Everything under heaven belongs to [God].”

But that shouldn’t discourage us, as if we’re doing something wrong. It should excite us. Because this story reveals that your living room can be used by God for eternal purposes. Your couch can bear spiritual fruit as you offer your life and the trappings of your life to the Lord.

You can translate what Jesus said about “My guest room” this way: “The [room] divinely appointed for Me.”^[11]

Of course, we can’t imagine this homeowner refusing Jesus use of the room, of the couch, of the carpets. Many believe this was actually the home John-Mark – the author of this Gospel – lived in.^[12] But what an encouragement of how God can use our regular lives for His glory. The daily chores of a guy carrying water. The upstairs room that was perfect for a special meal and then to become a temporary headquarters for the disciples.^[13] A colt. A jar of perfume. Five loaves, two fish.

It’s exciting. But with the exciting revelation of how God can use what we have should come the expectation that He wants to use what we have. Not to make us ascetics. But to use all aspects of our life to bear fruit. Not only our hearts, but our hands, our homes, and our hard-earned cash.

Mark 14:16 – ¹⁶ So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Well that’s a relief! But what a great, practical picture of discipleship. “Lord, we’d love to have a few more details, but we will obey the word You have given.” And they had to figure it out, trusting that God would accomplish what He sent them to do. And He did!

But discipleship requires devotion. They had to step out in faith. They had to wait for their cue. And they had to walk from Bethany the two miles uphill to Jerusalem, find this house, do a bunch of party prep, then walk back to Bethany to get Jesus and the others when everything was ready, then walk back to Jerusalem again!^[14] That’s a long day.

Mark 14:17-18 – ¹⁷ When evening came, he arrived with the Twelve. ¹⁸ While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

The Passover was eaten with your family. This is Jesus’ family unit at the time.^[15] What a heart-wrenching thing to realize that one of your closest relations would betray the Lord in such a way. It would be one of the worst actions in human history.

During dinner, Jesus would’ve recited the Hallel Psalms – Psalm 113 through 118. But here He also refers to another Psalm, Psalm 41. That is a song where David experienced a terrible, treacherous betrayal from a man who had been a friend.

Mark 14:19 – ¹⁹ They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?”

This is another straightforward question, but Jesus doesn’t give a straightforward answer. Nor does He reassure them. Because, no, 11 of them wouldn’t betray Jesus, but one would deny Him, and all would abandon Him in just a matter of hours.

I appreciate that in the moment the disciples were willing to admit their potential for failure. Lord, is it I? That’s not a bad question for us to ask. Lord, am I the one at fault? In the wrong? Am I out of tune or off beat? Lord, see if there be any wickedness in me, then lead me in the everlasting way.^[16]

Mark 14:20-21 – ²⁰ He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me. ²¹ For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”

They all had been dipping bread with Him.^[17] Why not just say it was Judas? Well, for one thing, Jesus was allowing the night to play out so that He would be arrested, tried, and crucified. In fact, where He says, “The Son of Man will go,” it speaks of a “voluntary act of homegoing.”^[18]

You see, Christ didn’t just ask the disciples to serve. He was the Servant of all. The Suffering Servant. He was obedient to His Father Who sent Him on this task. And it’s contrasted with the path of ruin and, ultimately death, that the betrayer was on.

Now we are sent by the Lord, day by day, to discover the spiritual treasures He’s prepared beforehand for us to walk in. We are being directed and conducted to perform a melody of faith and obedience in our Lord’s orchestra.

You know, Byron Preiss died in 2005. He said he’d tell others where the last 9 casques were buried, but he never did. His estate and publisher have acknowledged that they do not know the locations, but they have the gems. They will still honor the terms of the hunt for anyone who finds a box.

Our God has not forgotten us. He has not forgotten His plan. And He has more than 9 opportunities in this ongoing treasure-hunt that is the Christian life. Morning by morning we wake to a new sending, a new task, a new opportunity to give ourselves as living sacrifices to our Lord, the One we’re discipling after.

You are cordially invited to participate. To be sent as disciples. To be instruments in God’s providential orchestra of obedience.