Theme Discussion
This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in the church. It begins with Palm Sunday, a time when we wave our palm branches to remember Jesus’ exciting entrance into Jerusalem. On that day, the people welcomed Jesus like a hero or a king. They lined the road, waving their branches and shouting “Hosanna!”, which means “Save Us!” They were sure he was about to save them from the oppressive Roman power. It was an exciting and hopeful day.
Because we usually attend church only on Sundays, it’s easy to skip over the rest of Holy Week and jump right to Easter – but there are other important stories we should hear, stories about the things that happened that week. They are not happy stories, but they are important to our understanding of our faith.
The week that Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem was a very special week in the Jewish calendar. It was the celebration of Passover. Thousands of people travelled to this big city that week because the Temple was there – the most important place of worship for the Jewish people. It was a big festival and Jesus took this opportunity, like many others, to visit with friends and celebrate together.
One day, Jesus went to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship, an important part of the Jewish celebration leading up to Passover. When he arrived, however, he found that there were many vendors there selling things the people need - but cheating them to make a big profit. He thought this was a terrible thing to do in such a holy place! He got very angry, turning over their tables and chasing them away. It started a big fight and that made the leaders angry with Jesus.
On Thursday, - the day we call Maundy Thursday, Jesus had a special Passover meal with his disciples. Remember that in those days, people wore sandals and their feet got very dusty. Usually, when people entered a house, a servant would wash their feet. Well, this time, Jesus did something very strange! He put a towel around his waist and washed the feet of his friends. He wanted to show them that we it is important to be servants to each other. He had many important things to tell his friends that night. It is at this dinner that he shared the wine and the bread with them and tells them to remember him each time they do this. It is the story that we remember each time we celebrate Communion in church. This special dinner is the last time Jesus was with his disciples because he was betrayed and arrested that night. The Temple leaders were afraid that Jesus is causing too much trouble with the Jewish people. They feel they need to stop him.
On Friday, Jesus was crucified. It is a very dark day in the church calendar. Jesus died on a cross. His followers thought this was the end of all the wonderful work that Jesus has been doing.
It was a hard week for Jesus and his followers – full of both celebrations and very scary events. It is hard for us to read about too - but we know that Easter Sunday is coming! Jesus will be alive again in the world!
You can watch some of these stories in this video:
Wondering
How do you think the disciples felt about having Jesus wash their feet?
How do you think you might feel if someone important wanted to wash your feet?
How can we show love for each other by serving them?
What surprises you about these stories?
Music
Response Activity Ideas
Lenten Toolbox: Footprints
Each week, we’ll be making different things to add to the toolkit that remind us of how we can come closer to God.
This week, cut out and decorate footsteps to remind you of the wonderful ways Jesus taught us about loving and caring for others. When you’re having a tough time - feeling lonely, scared, or worried - you could put your feet on the footprints, and think about feeling connected and comforted by God, always walking along with you.
Click to print PDF
Palm Sunday – Palm Craft
Materials: printout of template, glue, scissors, assorted green paper (tissue, construction, wrapping, etc.), fabric, or felt cut or torn up into little pieces.
Make a palm branch! On the BACK of the template, cover the whole area where the leaf is (on the reverse) with a collage of green paper pieces overlapping each other. When the area is completely covered, and the glue dry, flip over to show the template. Cut out around the lines carefully. Now the green side is in the shape of the palm leaf. Attach a stick or dowel to the stem, if you wish, and wave your palm branch high!
Click to print PDF
Maundy Thursday – Foot Washing
Check out this video: Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet by Saddleback Kids
Jesus performs an action that was usually done only by servants: washing away the dust and dirt from a person’s feet. But Jesus showed his friends that no one is more important than anyone else. This is what it means to love like Jesus: to serve each other willingly.
Many churches include a foot washing ritual as part of their Maundy Thursday service. During the service, people are invited to come up and wash each other’s feet, remembering Jesus’ command to do the same. Gather basins, cloths, towels, and warm water to wash each others’ feet at home.
Good Friday – Origami Cross Activity
Follow the instructions in the video below to make paper pieces for Calvary: