Servant

I tell you the truth, unless a gram of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. If you love your life you will lose it, while if you hate your life in this world you will keep it for eternal life. To serve me you must follow me; and where I am, you as my servant also will be. My Father will honour you as you serve me. I wash your feet.

Often you do not realise what I am doing, but later you understand. Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. You call me Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Because I, your Lord and Teacher, wash your feet, you also should wash the feet of others. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them

If you have my commands and obey them, you love me. If you love me you will be loved by my Father, and I too will love you and show myself to you. If you love me, you will obey my teaching. My Father will love you, and we will come to you and make our home with you. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.

These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. The world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sends in my name, teaches you all things and reminds you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 12:24—6; 13:5, 7—8, 13—17; 14:21, 23—4, 31, 26—7)