This week the world will celebrate and remember the last Supper, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have so much to learn about this week – from the palm trees, the fish and bread, the washing of the disciples’ feet, and sadly the grave betrayal. This is a call on every believer and prayer warrior that the “Five-fold ministry” every apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and biblical teacher must intercede for our government, our schools, our community and the church of Christ. In the Bible, the washing of the feet represents humility, service, and spiritual cleansing. Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper (John 13) is a powerful example of these concepts, teaching them to serve one another and to be humble like him.

This act also symbolises Jesus’ own ministry of service and his willingness to humble himself to serve humanity. In a world where children die of hunger and war every day, others live like royalty in mansions with plenty. Indeed, the world needs God to touch our leaders and especially the leaders in Africa. We need God to touch our president, our ministers, our premiers, mayors, councillors, pastors, teachers, soldiers, police and community leaders. The palm tree and donkey are used symbolically to represent the humble, victorious, and messianic nature of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Palm branches, traditionally associated with victory and triumph, were used to greet Jesus, signifying the people’s recognition of him as the Messiah. Riding a donkey, a humble mode of transport, further emphasised Jesus’ humility and identification with the marginalised. So many families who grew up in the same home with granny cannot sit around the same table, because of unforgiveness and bitterness. The church, which is the body of Christ, the marriage between husband and wife, and the family home that structures the foundation of society, is under attack.

The order in the house where husband, wife and children live in harmony are demolished because of a lack of fatherly leadership, guidance and values. The greatest fear of South Africans is not corruption and crime, but a failure from government leaders. Our country as a whole face extreme challenges, like gender-based violence and drugs. A major problem is unemployment that effects society at large. Jesus took the role of the servant of the house and humbly began washing each of his disciples’ feet.

For where there is no servanthood there can’t be leadership. During the Last Supper, Jesus still offered to wash the feet of his disciples knowing that some of them will betray him. The true meaning of Easter is about the love Jesus has for us and the purpose and peace He gave us. As we move toward Easter, we must remember the miracle of Christ’s resurrection. His victory over death means that grief and suffering are no longer the end of the story.

Through His resurrection, we are given a second chance – a fresh start. There are millions of orphans in South Africa. Thousands of them are in foster care. According to research in America, 25% of children in foster care will not graduate from high school. Fifty percent will develop a drug addiction. Seventy percent of women will become pregnant before the age of 21, and only 3% will obtain a degree or diploma.

In African countries, it is much worse. Fortunately, there is a Heavenly Father who has a heart for orphans. His heart broke to see that those orphans had no place of belonging and even less a place to live. We failed as parents raising our children in the ways of the Lord, forgetting the promise we made when our babies were baptised and presented to God. And then we wonder why so many children and youth are dropping out of school or are involved in crime and drugs, even ending up in jail. Lord help our fathers and mothers, our people, our family, our community, and our country.