Easter Talk Part 1 - Last Supper

EASTER TALKS - PART ONE I have done this 2-part Easter talk twice, and each time it is so powerful because the children themselves are speaking the Scriptures. LORD’S SUPPER – EASTER #1 Sword drills – John 3:16 John 13:34 John 13:35 John 14:6 John 16:33 (final verse) PROPS: Long table with 13 chairs Large cup for juice (or 13 smaller cups?) and pitcher full of juice Flat bread and platter Towel Now that spring is here, we’re in the final countdown to Easter, early in April. In these 3 weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, we are going to try to put ourselves into the story that is really the heart of why Jesus came to this world. Tonight I want to invite 12 to come and be the disciples of Jesus at a very special meal: (quietly invite children by name to come take a seat) when I ask you to do things, please do them The dinner this night was a special one called the Passover, a dinner to remember. The table was set with special types of food, including unleavened bread (hold it up) and wine. The Passover reminded Jews of how God rescued them long ago from slavery in Egypt. Every Jew knew the story of the Passover. Jesus chose this dinner as his last before his death and resurrection. (1)When all the 12 got comfortable at the table, Jesus got up and started doing something that made all 12 Uncomfortable. Everybody in Jesus’ time didn’t wear socks and shoes, but they wore sandals. Roads were full of dust and other stuff that is kind of gross. When people came inside, the lowest servant had the job of washing off the feet of the guests. This night, Jesus got up from the table, took a towel and a bowl of water, and kneeling down, he used his hands and the water to wash off the dirt and dust from each disciple’s feet one by one. Then he used a towel to wipe them dry. His disciples were VERY uncomfortable, but this is what Jesus said: Do you understand what I have done? You call me teacher and Lord and that is right. I have washed your feet, and you should wash one another’s feet. You will be blessed if you do this. (2) While they were eating, Jesus then said – I am telling you something true. One of you is going to betray me. (pause) Each of his disciples looked at one another, not sure what he meant. (make this just a Jesus-Peter conversation) Peter said to Jesus, Lord, who is it? And Jesus said, it is the one I will give this piece of bread to when I have dipped it, and Jesus dipped it and leaned forward and passed it to Judas. Jesus knew what Judas had planned – to turn him over to be killed – and Jesus said to him – what you must do, do quickly. But no one else heard what he said except the 2 of them. Sometime later, he left. (3) Later in the meal, Jesus reached out and took the bread and thanked God for it. He broke it and gave it to his friends, and said to them, this bread is my body, broken for you. Take some and eat it. (pass out) They each took some and ate. After the supper, he took some wine, and said – this cup of wine is my blood, which is poured out (pour into cups) for many for the forgiveness of sins. And he passed the cup and each one drank. (4) The Gospel of John says that the disciples were full of sorrow at Jesus’ words, but Jesus comforted them – your sorrow will turn into joy, he said, because you will see me again. In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world. And after he prayed for them, they sang a hymn, left the room and walked out of Jerusalem and over into the Mount of Olives as it got dark. (have disciples get up, and walk back to their seats. Next week we’ll take time to be with Jesus the night before he dies, a time when many important things happen. Tonight, let’s remember the words Jesus said In this world (point down), you will have tribulation, (hold hands up and shake them) But take heart (cross over heart) I have overcome the world! (point to heaven and then make strong arms)