At the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet as
an example of service. At first, Simon Peter
refused to allow it, but Jesus rebuked him.
To accept Christ’s sacrifice to save us, and to realize that our good
deeds are not enough to save us, requires humble acceptance of what Our Lord
has done for us.
Jesus identified His betrayer and sent him away. He also gave us Holy Communion, which we
observe in remembrance of Him.
As the evening drew to a close, the disciples came to a
more complete realization that Jesus was going to be taken away from them. They were greatly distressed and stricken
with grief. The Gospel of John records
the words of comfort that He spoke to them.
I have found it to be one of the passages of scripture that moves my
heart the most:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe
also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I
would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and
receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also.
And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are
going,
and how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;
and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is
sufficient for us."
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me,
Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father;
so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in
Me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own
authority;
but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me,
or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works
that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I
go to My Father.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper,
that He may abide with you forever--the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive,
because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;
but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
A little while longer and the world will see Me no more,
but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me,
and I in you.
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves
Me.
And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father,
and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him,
"Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and
not to the world?"
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;
and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make
Our home with him.
He who does not love Me does not keep My words;
and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who
sent Me.
these things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My
name,
He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all
things that I said to you.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.
You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back
to you.'
If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going
to the Father,'
for My Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you before it comes,
that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world
is coming,
and he has nothing in Me.
But that the world may know that I love the Father,
and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do.
Arise, let us go from here.”
(John 14:1-31 NKJV)*
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