One evening, Jesus and His twelve friends, called disciples, sat down together for a special meal. The sun was setting, painting the sky with soft orange and pink colors, like a beautiful picture in the sky. They were in a quiet room, ready to share bread and wine, like they did every year for a special celebration called the Passover.
Jesus looked at His friends with love. He wanted to tell them something very important. The room was calm, but everyone felt that something big was about to happen. Jesus took a piece of bread, broke it gently, and gave it to His friends.
“This is my body,” He said softly. “It is given for you. Eat it and remember me.”
The disciples looked at the bread, feeling a little confused but also very special. Jesus wanted them to remember Him every time they ate bread together.
Then Jesus took a cup of wine. The red liquid looked like little drops of sunset in the cup. He gave it to His friends and said,
“This cup is my blood. It is poured out for you. Drink it and remember me.”
The disciples felt a warm feeling in their hearts. Jesus was telling them that He loved them so much He would do something very brave for them.
Jesus also told them that one of His friends would do something sad. “One of you will say, ‘I don’t know Jesus,’” He said quietly. The friends looked at each other, surprised and a little scared. Who could it be?
Then Jesus showed them a new way to love. “Love each other like I have loved you,” He said. “If you love each other, everyone will know you are my friends.”
The disciples felt happy and a little nervous. They wanted to love each other just like Jesus, but they wondered how they could do it every day.
After the meal, Jesus and His friends sang a song together. Their voices were soft and sweet, like birds singing goodnight. Jesus prayed to God, thanking Him for His love and asking God to take care of His friends.
This special meal is called the Last Supper because it was the last time Jesus ate with His friends before something very hard happened. But Jesus wanted them to know that even when He was not with them, He would always be with them in their hearts.
The night was quiet outside, but inside the room, love and hope shined like a bright star. Jesus showed His friends how to remember Him and how to love each other with all their hearts.
Questions to think about
- What did Jesus say the bread was?
- What did Jesus say the wine was?
- How did Jesus want His friends to love each other?
- Why do you think Jesus shared this special meal?
- How can you remember Jesus today?
Message of the story
God loves us so much that Jesus gave His life for us. He wants us to love each other just like He loves us.
Bible passage
Luke 22:7-20
Luke 22:7-20 (ICB)
7 The day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread came. This is when the Passover lamb is killed.
8 Jesus sent Peter and John. He told them, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us to eat.”
9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”
10 Jesus said to them, “When you go into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.
11 Tell the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher says, Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’
12 He will show you a large room upstairs. It will be ready. Prepare the meal there.”
13 They went and found everything just as
