He is Risen: Lent Devotional for Moms and KidsSample

He is Risen

by Tara Davis

Day 10: The Last Supper (ornament in second “I” flag)

Read: John 13:1-17

Discuss: Passover had arrived! The celebration for all Jewish people was about to begin. But for Jesus, this would be the last Passover meal He would eat with His friends. He knew what was coming, that all the world’s sin and pain and suffering were soon to be heaped upon his shoulders. One may think that this would make Jesus fearful or angry, but Jesus’ heart was only filled with love. He knew that Judas, one of His closest friends, would betray Him that very night, turning Him over to the authorities to be arrested and crucified. But He continued to pour out love, a love that sacrificed and served even His betrayer.

As the Passover meal began, Jesus knelt before His friends and asked them to remove their sandals. He was going to wash their feet. Back in Jesus’ day, people walked everywhere in sandals or even barefoot, so their feet were constantly caked with dirt and waste. Because it was such a disgusting job, it always fell to the lowliest servant in the house to wash the feet of a guest before a meal. But Jesus had the heart of a servant. He neatly arranged a washbasin and a towel and gently cleansed the filthy feet of His disciples.

The meaning of Jesus’ act of servanthood was so much deeper than simply washing dirty feet. He wants to wash you clean on the inside as well. He wants to take your heart, a heart that is full of sin, and make it new, make it His. He wants you to be His child. As He finished washing the disciples’ feet, He asked them if they understood what He had done for them. “I am your Lord and your Master, but also a servant. I want you to serve others as well.”

Precious child, how will you serve others today? Will you tell others of Christ’s love? My greatest hope for you is that you will allow Christ’s love to invade your own heart, to wash over your entire being, for as long as you live.