The Last Supper

The Last Supper: On the first day of a celebration called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples asked Jesus, “Where would you like to eat the Passover feast?” Jesus told his followers to go into the city and find a man. He instructed his disciples to tell the man He would like to come to his house for Passover.

The Jews celebrated Passover, also known as the feast of unleavened bread, since the time of Moses, when the Lord saved all the Israelite babies— including Moses. The celebration is called Passover because God “passed over” their houses, and they were kept safe.

During Passover celebrations people didn’t eat or have any bread in their homes with yeast in it. Yeast is what makes the bread rise. Without yeast the bread is flat, and that is called unleavened bread.

The disciples did just as Jesus asked. They found the place and got ready for Passover.

The evening came. Jesus and the twelve disciples sat down to eat the Passover meal. The disciples ate quietly. They were worried. Some people wanted to kill Jesus because he was so popular.

Jesus told them quietly, “One of you here will betray me.” The disciples looked at each other in shock. Some of them asked Jesus, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “The one who dips his bread into the bowl with me will betray me. I will die, just as it is written. The man who betrays me will feel sorry forever.”

Then Judas, with his head down, spoke quietly to Jesus, “It isn’t me, is it?”

Jesus answered, “Yes, you are the one.”

Judas hung his head even lower. He hoped none of the other disciples had overheard.

Jesus thanked God for the unleavened bread and shared it with the disciples. Jesus said, “Take this and eat it. This is a symbol of my body which is given for you.” Then he took a full cup of wine, thanked God for it and said, “This is my blood, which will be poured out for many people so their sins may be forgiven.” Then they all took a sip from the cup.

The meal continued. It was a long celebration. The disciples took their time, because they enjoyed being with Jesus. It was a celebration just like your family does on special occasions.

Jesus got up from the table and went to a different part of the room. He took off his everyday clothes, and put a large towel around him, making himself look like a servant. After that, he poured water into a large bowl and began to wash the disciples’ feet. Then He dried them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

The King of Kings, by washing his disciples’ feet, was doing something that only a servant would do. This would be like if a famous person came to your house and started to scrub your floors or clean your bedroom! You would be shocked, wouldn’t you?

When it was Peter’s turn, he said, “No. You will never wash my feet.” He didn’t feel right having Jesus wash his feet. He knew Jesus was very special.

Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash your feet, you cannot be with me.”

Then, Lord,” Peter replied, “don’t just wash my feet but my hands and head too. Make my whole body clean.”

When Jesus had finished washing his disciples’ feet, he asked them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and that is who I am. And now that I have washed your feet, you can also wash one another’s feet.”

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Reprinted with permission from Bible For Kids: A Collection of Bible Stories for Children Complete (Over 60 Illustrated) (With Over 100 Fun-Filled Follow-Up Activities).