The Bit Players

 "So He sent two of his disciples telling them, 'Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, "The Teachers asks 'Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.'" Mark 14: 12-15

    On our way to Texas, we would be driving through Memphis. Thinking it might be fun to stay in the Heartbreak Hotel, I inquired about a vacancy via telephone. The clerk responded, "Are you crazy, lady? That's during the throes of Elvis Week! You'll be lucky to stay anywhere in Tennessee."

    The earthly life of Jesus is bookended by busy, booked cities. A census caused the crowd in Bethlehem, when Joseph could only procure an empty stable for the birth of the King, and now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, AKA the Passover, had Jerusalem humming at a fevered pitch. I wonder if there's any hidden meaning in this parallel? 

    Anyway, I got to thinking about this homeowner who happened to have an upper room, "furnished and ready." For whom was it prepared? Had he known the Teacher would request it? Or did he have to cancel a reservation? The scriptures do not tell us because such details are unimportant to the story, yet I find it intriguing to peer beyond what's given and imagine being the bit player in the background. What was it like for this guy to host the Last Supper in his abode, though he likely had no knowledge of the historical impact of the event. Did Jesus greet him upon entrance, extending a hand in gratitude? Perhaps the man witnessed the grotesque display at the hill of Calvary the next day as he tried to piece the puzzling events together. Then, imagine what he thought when he heard the news of the empty tomb! What a time that must've been!

    I'd like to think that the full truth of the visiting Messiah opened the door of his heart, as well as his home, as he humbly welcomed the Living Lord. Then, upon his death, it would be Jesus's turn to open His heavenly home to the man with the upper room. 

    Our service to the Savior is not always star-studded, front page news. It may be as insignificant as opening ones home to someone in need, but when it's done for Him, it's a starring role.

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." Matthew 10:42