HELPING KIDS UNDERSTAND THE EASTER STORY Countdown to EASTER… DAY 5 / MAUNDY THURSDAY

Symbol: Communion Cup and “Bread”

Verses: Luke 22:7-23 (also Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26)

Details: {“Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, which means commandment, and refers to John 13:34 where Jesus commands his disciples to love one another.} During the Passover meal, he also breaks the bread and tells his disciples, “This is my body given for you,” and the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” The parallels here are undeniable. They are sitting here celebrating the Passover, a feast to remember when God protected the Israelites during the final plague in Egypt (Exodus 11 & 12) by having them slaughter a lamb and paint the lamb’s blood on the sides and top of their doorframes so that they would be “passed over,” and their firstborn son would survive. In the same way, Jesus’ blood is about to be shed so that all who believe in Him are “passed over,” spared from an eternity separated from God.

Make It Memorable: Have crackers and grape juice for a snack today and be thankful to Jesus for all that he has done for us.