Reflections with Andy – Luke 22: 7-13 – Faithfulness 

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In reflecting on the preparations for the Passover meal, we recognize the beauty of “quiet faithfulness” in the life of the anonymous homeowner who provided the Upper Room. We understand that just as Jesus orchestrated the details for His disciples then, He provides opportunities for us to serve Him in our everyday lives now. We acknowledge the shift from a youthful desire for “greatness” to a mature pursuit of “faithfulness,” realizing that even the smallest acts—like providing a room or a cup of cold water—can have an eternal impact far beyond our understanding. By staying alert to the small doors God opens today, we commit to being faithful stewards of the tasks set before us, trusting the Lord with the ultimate results.

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Good morning! It is good to be back with you on this Tuesday, January 20. I hope your Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday was a meaningful time of reflection and service. It is a powerful reminder that our lives aren’t just for ourselves; they are lived in service to the Lord and to our neighbors.

As we get back into our rhythm, we find ourselves in a short but busy week. If you’re like me, coming back to the office after a long weekend means a “to-do list a mile long.” But even in that busyness, we find a beautiful lesson in today’s scripture about quiet, humble faithfulness.

Preparation for the Passover (Luke 22:7–13)

In this passage, the time has come for the Passover lamb to be sacrificed. Jesus gives Peter and John a very specific, almost mysterious set of instructions:

“He said to them, ‘Listen: when you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner… “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room…?'” He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’”

The Divine Orchestration

There is a striking similarity here to the way Jesus obtained the donkey for Palm Sunday. Jesus tells them exactly what will happen, and it happens just as He said.

In that culture, carrying water jars was typically a task for women. A man carrying a water jar would have stood out like a beacon—it was a specific sign for Peter and John to follow.

The Anonymous Homeowner

Think about the owner of that house. We don’t know his name. We don’t know if he fully realized the weight of the moment. He was simply prepared and willing. He didn’t know that his “guest room” would become the setting for the institution of the Lord’s Supper—an event that would be remembered and celebrated by billions of people for over 2,000 years.

His task was simply to be faithful with what he had.

Faithfulness vs. Greatness

I love the reflection you shared about starting out in ministry wanting to be “great”—to be the next Billy Graham—only to have life and the Holy Spirit mature you into simply wanting to be faithful.

We often get caught up in wanting to do “great things” for God, but as you mentioned from Matthew 10:42, God is just as concerned with the “cup of cold water” given in His name.

  • Greatness is often about optics and the results we can see.
  • Faithfulness is about doing the right thing in the quiet moments, leaving the results to the Lord.

The homeowner was faithful with a room. The donkey owner was faithful with an animal. Peter and John were faithful with an errand. None of them knew the totality of how their small acts would change history.

Your “Upper Room” Opportunity Today

Today, as you tackle that long to-do list, don’t just look for the “big” tasks. Look for the “water-carrier” moments.

I guarantee a door will open today—in a meeting, a phone call, or an interaction with a neighbor—where you can offer a small act of service or a word of encouragement. It won’t be flashy. It won’t grab headlines. But in the scope of eternity, that act of faithfulness is what the Lord uses to build His Kingdom.

“Our job is not to always worry about the results… our job is just to be faithful.”

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