Learning to Follow Directions is a simple thought reflection from Mark 14:13-16 about the way in which a Christians learn to follow the directions of Jesus in their lives.

“So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” (Mark 14:13–16, HCSB)

When we were children we were taught to closely follow directions. Our parents and teachers instructed us that to do well we had to follow all the directions. We were taught to read all directions before we took a test, follow all directions on the instruction manual, and closely follow the directions when we were getting ready to do a job. If we messed up, it was most likely because we did not follow the directions.

Our problem with following directions is when something goes wrong. We follow the directions and it does not go like it should. We have to learn to improvise to get the job done. We read instructions about a toy assembly and a part is missing. We read the directions to a test but one question doesn’t make sense, even though we studied the whole night before.

Jesus gave clear directions to His disciples The amazing part for Jesus directions is that nothing goes wrong on the other end. In this instance, they easily find the man carrying a water jug at the entrance of the city. They are able to follow him to the house without incident. It is as if the persons they follow and find were expecting them. The same happens earlier in another context.

“As He approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them. As they were untying the young donkey, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the donkey?” “The Lord needs it,” they said. Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their robes on the donkey, they helped Jesus get on it.” (Luke 19:29–35, HCSB)

The donkey is there, just as Jesus described it. Someone asks them a question, and their answer: “The Lord needs it,” works. There is no argument, no fuss, and no problem.

Jesus tells Peter a similar set of directions when He instructs Peter to pay the temple tax:

““But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for Me and you.”” (Matthew 17:27, HCSB)

Peter doesn’t argue, and obviously finds the coin after following the directions of Jesus. When we decide to follow Jesus, eventually we have to learn to follow His directions. Yet, they are not hard. Jesus is not complicated. We just have to trust Him.