Nora and Thomas and their teacher are in a desert in Egypt. Pyramids can be seen in the distance behind them.
NORA: Where are we today? It’s roasting!
TEACHER: We’re in Egypt! We’re going to learn about the Jewish celebration of Passover and its importance in the Christian Bible.
*We pan out to reveal Moses standing on top of a rock. *
TEACHER: Passover is a celebration of the story in the Christian Bible's book of Exodus. In the story, Moses - that fella over there - helped free the Jews from slavery in Egypt. They escaped across the Red Sea, where they wandered the desert for forty years!
We see figures walking across the dunes.
THOMAS: My daddy is forty and he's old.
*Nora and the teacher chuckle. *
NORA: Forty isn't that old Thomas, but it's a long time to be walking in the desert.
TEACHER: You’re not wrong!
THOMAS: Did Jesus celebrate Passover?
TEACHER: Good question Thomas. Yes, Jesus was Jewish so he would have celebrated Passover every year with his friends and family. Do you know what people mean when they talk about the 'Last Supper'?
THOMAS: Um, I'm not sure.
The desert scene changes to the Last Supper. Jesus is at the centre of the table, holding up bread and showing it to the disciples.
TEACHER: The last meal Jesus had with his disciples before his death was during the celebration of Passover. Christians call this the Last Supper. There is a very important part of the Last Supper for Christians, it is when Jesus stood up, took bread, broke it and offered it to his disciples, saying,* "Take this, eat this, do this in memory of me."*
*Jesus passes around bread and wine to the disciples at the table. The screen splits to show a priest holding up a chalice of wine and celebrating the Eucharist. *
TEACHER: This is remembered most significantly for Christians as it is a reminder that Jesus gave up his life and body to God for our sins. For some Christians, these words are even said in Mass as a reminder of the Last Supper. Because Jesus said to remember him, Christians take lessons from Jesus' actions by doing kind things for each other.
THOMAS: Like when I walk my granny's dog when she's too tired?
TEACHER: Yes, exactly!
The escape from Egypt
Long ago, before the birth of Jesus, the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt.
This means that they were made to build or do things for the Egyptian king.
A man called Moses, who we can read about in the Bible, helped the people of Israel escape from Egypt.
A special celebration
For years after the people of Israel remembered this story by having a special celebration called Passover.
Jesus was Jewish and would have celebrated Passover too.
When he was a boy, he would have celebrated with his family.
Later in life he spent it with his friends, the disciples.
Jewish people still celebrate Passover today.
The Last Supper
Christians can read in the Bible about Jesus having a Passover meal with the disciples, just before he died.
We call this the Last Supper.
Jesus ate bread and drank wine with his friends.
Christians remember this in church when communion bread and wine are given.
Now that you know about Passover and the Last Supper, learn about the death and burial of Jesus.
More on The death of Jesus
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