The Last Supper

The Last Supper

The sun was setting over Jerusalem as Jesus and his twelve disciples climbed the stairs to a quiet upper room. It was time for the Passover meal, a special dinner that Jewish families shared every year to remember how God had rescued their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. But this year's dinner would be different from any other.

Jesus had asked two of his disciples to prepare everything earlier that day. Now the room glowed warmly with oil lamps, and a long table was set with bread, wine, and roasted lamb. The thirteen men reclined on cushions around the table, following the ancient custom of their people.

As they began to eat, Jesus did something that shocked everyone. He stood up, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he knelt down and began washing his disciples' feet—a job usually done by the lowest servant in a household!

Peter couldn't believe what was happening. 'Lord, you shouldn't wash my feet!' he protested, his weathered fisherman's face showing both embarrassment and confusion. How could their teacher, the one they believed was the Messiah, do such a humble task?

Jesus looked up at Peter with patient, loving eyes. 'If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing,' he explained gently. Peter immediately changed his mind and asked Jesus to wash not just his feet, but his hands and head too!

When Jesus finished washing everyone's feet, he returned to his place at the table. 'Do you understand what I've done?' he asked them. 'I've shown you how to serve one another with love and humility, just as I have served you.'

Then Jesus' expression grew serious, and sadness filled his eyes. 'I must tell you something difficult,' he said quietly. 'One of you sitting here will betray me tonight.' The disciples looked at each other in shock and disbelief.

John, the youngest disciple, was sitting close to Jesus. Peter motioned to him to ask who the betrayer was. Jesus dipped a piece of bread in the dish and handed it to Judas, saying quietly, 'What you're going to do, do quickly.'

Judas had already made a secret agreement with Jesus' enemies to hand him over for thirty silver coins. The money pouch he carried jingled as he stood up abruptly. The other disciples thought he was leaving to buy something for the feast or to give money to the poor, but Judas walked out into the darkness with betrayal in his heart.