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).

A symbolic act with four moving lessons for the future apostles, just before Christ went to Calvary, showing his love for his own, his coming humiliation, his cleansing of them, and the humility of bearing and life (essential to them and all believers in order to be used by God).

It is astounding how many illustrations and arguments the prophet Jeremiah uses to persuade people in 586 BC to turn back to God. Yet today his reasoning is just as vital, as he stirs us to see our need of spiritual life.