Study Desk

But if I do what my Father does, you should believe because of that, even if you don't have faith in me. Then you will know for certain that the Father is one with me, and I am one with the Father.

But he stayed where he was for two more days.

After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, "Father, I thank you for answering my prayer.

Don't you know it is better for one person to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed?"

Caiaphas did not say this on his own. As high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation.

Yet Jesus would not die just for the Jewish nation. He would die to bring together all of God's scattered people.

It was almost time for Passover. Many of the Jewish people who lived out in the country had come to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the festival.

They looked around for Jesus. Then when they were in the temple, they asked each other, "You don't think he will come here for Passover, do you?"

A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there.

"Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?"

Jesus replied, "Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of my burial.

The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival,

Jesus said: The time has come for the Son of Man to be given his glory.

I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat.

Jesus answered, "The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won't be caught walking blindly in the dark.

Even then, many of the leaders put their faith in Jesus, but they did not tell anyone about it. The Pharisees had already given orders for the people not to have anything to do with anyone who had faith in Jesus.

It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end.

Jesus answered, "People who have bathed and are clean all over need to wash just their feet. And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of you."

Jesus knew who would betray him. That is why he said, "except for one of you."

And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other.