What does the man carrying the water jar have to do with Christ's saving sacrifice? Some scholars surmise that Jesus kept the location of the Last Supper secret in order to insure that his enemies wouldn't be able to apprehend him there. If he had said openly where they would be gathered, Judas would have been able to tip off the Jewish leaders.
Other scholars point out that carrying water was a woman's task in ancient Palestine, so finding a man carrying water subtly indicates the new order of things that Christ is about to establish. Whatever scholars may say, however, one thing is clear: Jesus knew exactly how this last evening with his Apostles was going to pan out. His instructions about finding the place for their celebration show that the occurrences of that evening were not left up to chance. Every word, every action was part of a drama being directed by God, most especially the highlight - the institution of the Eucharist.
This was no ordinary supper, no traditional celebration: the images and shadows of the Old Covenant would give way this night to the fullness of the New and Everlasting Covenant, which is renewed during every Mass. The Eucharist, the sacramental foreshadowing and saving event of Calvary, is no abstract symbol; it is the ultimate reality towards which all other symbols converge. God Bless You,
Father Mike