Jesus had just finished washing the feet of the disciples and relating to them the example He had shown. He described how it was the same relationship He had with the Father that they could also have with both Him and the Father. This is a great visual lesson for both the disciples and for us.The dark hours were drawing nearer. We see how Jesus operates knowing that His time on earth is coming to an end. We will see many lessons of relationship in the next several chapters, lessons on how relationships are intended to function, not on how so many of us today try to function in our relationships with others. These will be examples of openness, trust, compassion, and truth. They will show us how the Son, Father, and Spirit relate and how we are a part of that relationship. While we struggle for accomplishment in life, Jesus was busy showing what was foundationally important: relationship.As the final hour draws nearer, Jesus confronts Judas and plainly tells him that he should do what he has intended to do. This is a difficult passage for me as Jesus is telling Judas to fulfill Scripture by betraying Jesus to the religious leaders. Why would someone tell a supposed friend to betray him? Because Jesus knew the will of the Father and wanted ONLY the Father’s will to be done. While the short term would not be pleasant, in fact as unpleasant as anyone could imagine, He knew the long term was glorious, and this is what the Father had established. In the midst of this difficult conversation Jesus reminds the disciples of their relationship to the Father, “…whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” This is reinforcement of the example of the relationship ties that He had already discussed with them. Our salvation, our very life, is based on relationship, and that relationship STARTS with Jesus and from there continues to the Father, the Spirit, and all those we encounter.