The Lord continued His farewell discourse, which began by washing their feet, demonstrating servanthood despite being their Lord (John 13:4-17). But the Lord’s ultimate act of service would be His death on the cross. Although the disciples cannot match His sinless sacrifice, He still commanded them to serve one another. At least they could replicate the washing of the feet, a symbol of humble service.
He also commanded them to love one another. The two commands of service and love cannot be separated. He would then explain that connection of love and obedience to Him. If the disciples loved Him, they should obey His commandments (John 14:15).
The Lord would also comfort them by promising the Holy Spirit; He explained the interworking of the Holy Trinity (John 14:16-21). Jesus further explained the role of the Father as the vinedresser and Himself as the true vine; He explained the role of the disciples to bear fruit because they are the branches (John 15:1-11). The Father will prune the true branches, which will bear fruit; but He will burn the branches that do not, which are obviously not connected to the vine (John 15:6).
