Easter Week Activity: Maundy Thursday

Experience your own Maundy Thursday foot-washing ceremony. Fill a bucket with water. Grab a few towels, gather your family, and share the story found in John 13:1-17. Then take turns washing each other’s feet and praying for one another.

Jesus, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin…

…and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Grant asked, “Mom, why would Jesus wash his disciples feet? He was their King. Shouldn’t they be washing His feet?”

Peter had a similar question.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.”

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should do just as I have done to you.”

“Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos.”

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you. John 13:34

Maundy is derived from the Latin translation of this phrase: Mandatum: A new commandment I give to you.

Maundy Thursday. The day before Good Friday.

A day set apart, to serve.

A day set apart, to love.

Just as He loved and served us.

The boys giggled and truly enjoyed this activity.

But I could see something much deeper.

Unity through servant hood.

An sweet affection for each other.

Brent asked, “Ethan, how did it feel when Grant washed your feet?”

He laughed, “It tickled!”

Brent rephrased, “How did you feel inside your heart?”

He smiled, “Loved.”