Week 46 · New Testament · about 3 minutes · 191 words
🍞 The Table and the Towel
Jesus washes feet, shares bread and cup, and gives a new command to love.
On the night before he suffered, Jesus wanted to eat the Passover with his friends. During supper he got up, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed the disciples’ dusty feet. Peter did not want the Lord doing a servant’s job. Jesus said that unless he washed them, they had no part with him. The King knelt.
He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them. “This is my body, given for you.” He took the cup and said it was the new covenant in his blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins. He was telling them, with food they could taste, that he would give his life.
He also said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” The towel and the table belong together. People who receive Jesus’ love are sent to kneel in ordinary kindness.
You may not take communion yet, but you can understand the heart of it: Jesus gives himself for you, and he asks you to love in his way. A towel at home — helping, serving, forgiving — is practice for that love.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.”
John 13:34 · Luke 22 and John 13
Say it
Practice John 13:34
Tap the words in order. The blanks follow the verse from left to right.
AnewcommandmentItoyou,thatyouloveoneanother.JustasIhavelovedyou,youoneanother.
Talk about it
- Why was foot washing surprising?
- What did the bread and the cup point to?
- What is one towel-kindness you can do tomorrow?
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for loving us to the end. Help us love one another the way you have loved us. Amen.
Parent tip
Use your church’s language for communion, and keep the tone reverent and warm rather than graphic.
Week 46 · the whole night
🍞 The Table and the Towel
Story, coloring page, word search, and the verse to trace.