Study Desk

For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."

So when He had washed their feet and put on His [outer] robe and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you understand what I have done for you?

"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am.

"For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you.

Some thought that, since Judas [as the treasurer of the group] had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he was to give something to the poor.

So when Judas had left, Jesus said, "Now is [the time for] the Son of Man [to be] glorified, and God is glorified in Him;

"Little children, I am with you [only] a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now, 'Where I am going, you are not able to come.'

"By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another."

Peter said to Him, "Lord, why cannot I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!"

Jesus answered, "Will you [really] lay down your life for Me? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before a rooster crows you will deny and completely disown Me three times.

"In My Father's house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'

"On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.

"Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

"You heard Me tell you, 'I am going away, and I am coming back to you.' If you [really] loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going [back] to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

"I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me];

"I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

"I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you].