The Last Supper (Third Easter devotional)

Six years ago my husband’s family decided to have a “Peep Diorama” contest at our annual Easter egg hunt. My husband really got into it and created this. Can you tell which one is Judas?

It is only fitting that I share this because we are delving into the story of the Last Supper in our third devotional as we journey to the cross!

(I actually broke this devotional up into two days with my kids–one day for washing feet, and the other to share the last supper.)

Part One. As a family, read John 13: 1-17.

This is the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Our Jesus, the Son of God, full of authority and power given by His Father, bended low to set an example of how to serve.

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15

Ever since my oldest was itty bitty, the Lord has moved me during this story to wash my family’s feet. I know that my children do not really understand the significance of what their mommy is doing. Yet just as Jesus told Peter, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand (John 13:7),” I too pray that God will use this experience every Easter to one day help them understand to what extent Jesus loves them.

For now my kids think it is fun for mommy to wash their stinky feet, but this time to me has become very special.

We all know it is NOT easy to love and serve our kids. It has been the greatest sacrifice in my life to give up my rights each day to be a mom. So washing my children’s feet has become a time for me to reflect on the depths of love God has for me, and renew my commitment to depend on God to love and serve my kids another year.

This is why Jesus came. To pay the payment for our sins, but even more to give us the “ability” and “power” through the Holy Spirit to love as He does. I always pray for my kids too while I am washing their feet thanking the Lord for them and blessing them with “life-giving” words (and often through tears). It’s amazing how on bended knee in humility love overflows…

Part 2. Read Matthew 26:20-30. (It was a beautiful day outside so we headed to the park to have a “Last Supper” picnic! We picked up some fresh French bread and grape juice on the way to share after we read.)

“Take and eat; this is my body…Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28

My son immediately asked the question, “Were they REALLY going to eat Jesus’ body and blood?”

Children are quite literal! So don’t forget to tell them that the bread was a symbol for Jesus’ body, and wine was a symbol for the blood that would be shed for our sins.

Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions with your kids. “Why did Jesus have to die?” “Why was blood a payment for sin?” Let them talk it out with you.

Share Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Tell them that they NEED Jesus to go to heaven. Don’t shy away from the truth that sin separates them from God and that they (we) deserve to be punished. Shout out the good news that Jesus is the gift of eternal life when they believe!

I love how the Scriptures tell us that Jesus ended the Last Supper with His friends by singing a hymn. We did the same.

My kids love “Crown Him With Many Crowns” by Matthew Bridges and “Amen” by Seeds Family Worship. Sing whatever song that comes to your heart when you think of His saving grace offered to you!

Here’s our third ornament we made to go along with our story. To learn more about how we made these, click here. This week my kids painted some grapes to remember the Last Supper.