Thursday

Thursday

Teaching Cookie: Challis and Wafer

READ John 13:1-15 and Matthew 26:20-30

PRESCHOOL MODIFICATION - READ John 13:3-5 and Matthew 26:26-28

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Thursday of Passion Week is often called Maundy Thursday. Jesus began the evening by washing the disciples feet. Foot washing was a job that was done by the lowest of servants, and yet, here was Jesus, our Savior, washing the feet of his followers. Why? It’s simple - He wanted them to know just how much He loved them.

From there, Jesus has his last meal with the disciples. We often refer to this as the Last Supper. First, Jesus predicted what was going to happen on the next day. Then Jesus gave His followers symbols of remembrance for His body and His blood sacrificed on behalf of all mankind. Then He ended their meal together by giving them one last teaching lesson: the greatest are those who serve others, not those who expect to be served.

The disciples and Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray as Jesus waited for what was about to happen next. It was here that Jesus, having been betrayed by Judas, was arrested and taken to several trials before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and King Herod. Jesus had to go through several trials during the night. Throughout it all, Jesus endured painful beating, whipping, and mocking. Pilate didn’t really understand why the leaders wanted Jesus crucified, so he tried to compromise with the religious leaders but nothing satisfied them. Eventually Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. The same people that praised Jesus as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday were some of the same ones screaming for Him to be crucified. Jesus was mocked by the soldiers as they dressed Him in a purple robe and a crown of thorns, and sent Him to His crucifixion.

Through all of this, Jesus never backed down. He knew this was all part of God’s plan to save us from our sins, and He knew it had to be done. Jesus went through this and so much more because of His great love for us.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

Find a large bowl or basin and fill it with water. Wash your family’s feet dry them with a towel, showing them what it is like to serve them. Once you’ve completed washing everyone’s feet, move to a quiet spot and observe the Lord’s Supper together. You will need grape juice or wine and a small piece of cracker or unleavened bread. Re-read Matthew 26:20-30 as you take each element.

ASK

• Why do you think foot washing was a job for the lowest of servants?

• How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus was washing their feet?

• Do you think the disciples understood what Jesus meant when He said the bread represented His body and the wine represented His blood?

• When Jesus was arrested and put on trial, or when He was beaten and mocked, do you think He could have stopped it? Why didn’t He?

PRAY

Father, thank you for loving us. Thank you for demonstrating that love when you washed the disciples’ feet. And thank you for showing us what it means to be a servant. Thank you for sacrificing yourself in order to pay for our sins. Father help us always remember the price You so willingly paid for us. May we be so overwhelmed by what you did that we share it with everyone we meet. We love you. Amen.