A Wet Ministry

 

 

 

Mark 14:13-16

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into           the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?

15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Is carrying water a ministry? It can be, as the above passage shows. We read here about Jesus sending two of his disciples into the city to prepare the Passover. This wasn’t just any meal or event. This would become the most famous and important Passover dinner in the history of time. This would become the last supper that Jesus would share with the disciples before his crucifixion and resurrection. This would be the meal that introduced the body and blood of Christ, for the first time in history.

Who was this man bearing the pitcher of water? Did he do this everyday? This man, with this menial job, had a very important job. He would lead the disciples to the setting of the Passover. Did he know this? Scripture doesn’t tell. Did he realize that his actions at that moment in time would be very important?

What if he had not faithfully done his job? What if, he had gotten frustrated with this menial task and decided that what he had to do wasn’t important and therefore, could wait until later? What if he had stopped by the house of a friend on the way to his master’s residence? What if he had decided to go see his buddies on the way? What would the disciples have done? Would they have gotten lost, or confused or ended up at the wrong place?

Jesus knew of this man and his seemingly menial job. And he knew that this man could be depended upon to carry out the duties of this job faithfully.

　

Did he know after the passover, after the crucifixion and resurrection that his faithful exercise of his job duties had been important to this story? Scripture doesn’t reveal this.


How many times in our own lives do we feel that our tasks are too menial to complete faithfully, with honor? How many times do we think that what we do is not important? We look for signs and validation from others. Do we look to God for his validation?

Colossians 4:22-24

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

The man in the first scripture followed the instruction of the second scripture in this article. He obeyed his master and performed his job in singleness of heart. Whether or not he knew it, he served the Lord and all of mankind to come.

He truly performed an extraordinary ministry in an ordinary place.


copyright 2011 by Kathy Robbins