The day before Calvary, with the disciples, Christ gives a fourfold remedy for their deficiencies. They must grasp the necessity of faith, the heavenly objective, His pivotal atonement, and His equality with the Father. Only then can they fulfil their commission.

A sequence of verses showing how to steer oneself toward consideration of others, use 'unbreachable barriers' to avoid sin, maintain diligence in all things, avoid giving superficial counsel, register and convey disapproval of wrong, and treasure family devotion and the means of grace.

Having washed the disciples' feet, Christ revealed to them seven vital immediate events - the betrayal, their future work, the ugliness of hypocrisy, the need for heart-searching before the Lord's Supper, the direction of events, how humiliation would bring glory, and the future church.

The 'depraved' human condition was acknowledged for centuries past because it is so obviously true. Here Isaiah shows human unreasonableness before God, alienation, rebellion, and inability to change. Here also is the way to find God's forgiveness and life-changing power. 

This group of verses unfolds five 'companions' of biblical truth as we search and apply it to life. Fascinating illustrations press home lessons on the need of: diligence, purity (in doctrine and methods), reality (especially the call to service), humility, and diplomacy (or sensitivity).