A Pitcher of Water

“Where do you want us to go?” they asked him.  He replied.  “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him.  At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’  He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up.  That is the place.  Go ahead and prepare our supper there.  They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover supper there.           Luke 22:9-13

Luke 22 tells us of one of the most significant days in the life of Jesus.  He is preparing for a special dinner with His disciples.  It would be the last time they would all be together on this earth.  At this dinner, Jesus will demonstrate a significant way to remember Him and the sacrifice He is about to make. 

Jesus instructed the disciples to prepare for the Passover dinner, where He would institute The Lord’s Supper.  In preparation, He gave His disciples specific instructions on where to go and how to get ready for the dinner.

It all started in Bethany, that morning, Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to Jerusalem with the instructions to prepare a place where they would eat the Passover meal.  He told them that when they entered the city they would see a man carrying a “pitcher of water” 

First of all, does it seem odd that Peter and John did what Jesus told them to do and not even question?  That they would just happen upon a man in the city that was carrying a pitcher of water and he would magically lead them to a room that was already set up for their dinner?  Are we that willing to do something like this and follow Jesus?  I think I might have stalled a bit and asked a few questions before leaving.  But these two men followed the instructions given to them and set out to find the man carrying a pitcher of water without question.

The important point to note in this passage is that it was highly unusual for a man to be carrying a water pitcher – at any time.  A man carrying a pitcher of water would be very easy for the disciples to pick out in a crowded public area.

We don’t know the details of this man’s life.  Why was he doing the job of carrying water when usually a woman did this?  Did his wife die?  Was she sick?  Had he made a mistake that left him alone?  No matter the reason he was carrying the pitcher that day, we know that the Lord used him as a sign. The man was just completing a daily chore of fetching water, but he would be leading men to one of the most significant events in the Bible.  

Peter and John found the man and asked him where the guest room is.  This man, who is nameless, led Peter and John to one of thee most historical events ever.  He did an incredible service for the Lord and was used mightily for eternal purposes.  He led the disciples to were they would eat Passover with Jesus.  

God saw and knew the life circumstances of this man.  God chose to use him through a mundane chore of life, carrying a water pitcher.  This man is forever documented in the Bible for leading the disciples to their last dinner with Jesus.  

God uses us no matter what life circumstances we are in.  God uses us in our everyday circumstances.  Are you willing to carry the water pitcher today and willing to let God use you?

The nameless man was carrying a pitcher of water, but Jesus was about to prepare the disciples for the living water that was about to come.