Serving others
Children's sermon
Object:
a basin with some soapy water, a towel
Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around
him. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to
wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. (vv. 4-5)
Good evening, boys and girls. Jesus was always a surprise to the disciples. He ate with sinners, he talked with a bad woman at a well in a foreign country, he healed a man who was tied up for fear that he would hurt others, and he waited for four days before he went to visit his friend who was sick. These are just a few of the times that Jesus surprised the disciples. But the biggest surprise may have been the one that Jesus did on Maundy Thursday.
Jesus and all of his disciples met in a big room outside of the Jerusalem city walls. Jesus and all of the disciples had gathered to celebrate the Passover. The Passover for Jewish people is like Easter and the Fourth of July all rolled into one day. The Jewish people came from everywhere, including many foreign countries, and it was hard to find a place to stay. But Jesus and his disciples had a big room and they gathered around a table to eat the Passover feast.
Just as they were ready to begin, Jesus got up from the table, took off his outside robe, took a towel, and tied it around his waist. I would like to do the same with for you today. (ask them to remove their shoes and socks and begin to wash their feet) How many of you have ever thought that the pastor wanted to wash and dry your feet? (let them answer) Peter didn't like it. Jesus was too good to wash his feet. He tried to hide them under the table but Jesus insisted that if he was not allowed to wash Peter's feet then there would be nothing good between them. That changed Peter's mind and he asked Jesus to also wash his head, his arms, and his hands. Jesus told him that this was not necessary. (continue to wash their feet) After he finished washing all of the disciple's feet, he went back to the table where they had eaten and told them that he had sent an example of how they should care for one another. Just like he had cared for them, they should care for each other, like servants. It was a sign of respect and love that Jesus wanted them to learn. The greatest people are the ones who serve others.
I hope you will remember this every time you look at your feet. Jesus taught that caring for each other is a real sign of love and respect. Maybe you will show your friends what Jesus did for his disciples and they will also learn how much God and Jesus love them. Amen.
Good evening, boys and girls. Jesus was always a surprise to the disciples. He ate with sinners, he talked with a bad woman at a well in a foreign country, he healed a man who was tied up for fear that he would hurt others, and he waited for four days before he went to visit his friend who was sick. These are just a few of the times that Jesus surprised the disciples. But the biggest surprise may have been the one that Jesus did on Maundy Thursday.
Jesus and all of his disciples met in a big room outside of the Jerusalem city walls. Jesus and all of the disciples had gathered to celebrate the Passover. The Passover for Jewish people is like Easter and the Fourth of July all rolled into one day. The Jewish people came from everywhere, including many foreign countries, and it was hard to find a place to stay. But Jesus and his disciples had a big room and they gathered around a table to eat the Passover feast.
Just as they were ready to begin, Jesus got up from the table, took off his outside robe, took a towel, and tied it around his waist. I would like to do the same with for you today. (ask them to remove their shoes and socks and begin to wash their feet) How many of you have ever thought that the pastor wanted to wash and dry your feet? (let them answer) Peter didn't like it. Jesus was too good to wash his feet. He tried to hide them under the table but Jesus insisted that if he was not allowed to wash Peter's feet then there would be nothing good between them. That changed Peter's mind and he asked Jesus to also wash his head, his arms, and his hands. Jesus told him that this was not necessary. (continue to wash their feet) After he finished washing all of the disciple's feet, he went back to the table where they had eaten and told them that he had sent an example of how they should care for one another. Just like he had cared for them, they should care for each other, like servants. It was a sign of respect and love that Jesus wanted them to learn. The greatest people are the ones who serve others.
I hope you will remember this every time you look at your feet. Jesus taught that caring for each other is a real sign of love and respect. Maybe you will show your friends what Jesus did for his disciples and they will also learn how much God and Jesus love them. Amen.
