The Master

I live in the Peach State of Georgia.  In April of each year the most prestigious golf tournament of all, The Masters, is played in Augusta, Georgia.  For those fortunate enough to get a ticket (even to a practice round) they are in for the time of their life.

Now if you’re not a fan of golf, it might not mean that much to you. But all week long the world’s top golfers converge on Georgia’s “Garden City.” All week long golf fans from all over the world attend. This in one of sports most coveted tickets. I know...I have coveted one...or two.

Do you know that people actually rent out their homes during Master’s week? Yes, and for exorbitant prices, too. Some of the professionals arrive two to three weeks early just to prepare for this tournament.

I checked this out and many people make their actual mortgage payments from the income of this season.

We are about to celebrate Easter.  The Gospel writers describe “The Master’s” week in Jerusalem. And in this case there is only one Master. It was time for Passover as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Multitudes would come from far and wide and the entire region would feel the impact. Both rich and poor would arrive. It was great for the economy. It created an atmosphere of excitement as well as expectation that would begin weeks earlier as preparations were made.

William Barclay writes, “To this day, when Jews keep the Passover, in every land they pray that they may keep it next year in Jerusalem.” As many as 2.5 million pilgrims would arrive annually for this celebration. Imagine 2.5 million people converging on an area 48.3 square miles and that will give you a good idea how crowded it was.

Jesus was in town. He would observe Passover with His disciples. So He sent Peter and John to get things ready. He gave them specific instructions. The first thing that He told them was that they would meet this man carrying a pitcher of water. Now, this was different in itself, for this was a task usually carried out by a woman. However, this gives us additional insight into the devotion of this servant of Jesus. They were to use his home and he was seeing personally to each need.

He could have rented these quarters to a wealthy pilgrim for an exhorbitant amount, but he surrendered it to the Master.  Not only did he surrender it to Jesus, but saw to every detail of his needs. 

What is it that you have that the Master has need of?  What is it that He desires that you can surrender to Him?  Whatever it is it could be the prelude to a Gethsemane and a foretaste of Calvary.  Either way the result is GRACE unmerited and MERCY unlimited. 

Praise be to God for His indescribable gift.