10 of those

Just before his execution, Jesus Christ invited his disciples to join him at a borrowed house in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. As he faced betrayal, arrest and crucifixion, he taught them about the very heart of the Christian faith, namely, holiness.

When the time came to leave the house, he continued his teaching. As they made their way through darkened streets that were filled with hostility to him, he spoke of how he would empower them to be his witnesses in a world that would often hate them too. Jesus was the teacher; the disciples were his pupils. It was the school of Christ.

David Gooding’s exposition reveals the significance of the lessons Jesus taught inside the upper room (chs. 13–14), their connection to the lessons taught outside in the streets (chs. 15–16) and how both parts of this course on holiness relate to the Teacher’s prayer to his Father (ch. 17). With a scholar’s care for the text of Scripture, he expounds both the devotional richness and the practical nature of the lessons. He shows that to understand Christ’s teaching on holiness is to know his power to change lives.

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Of all David Gooding’s books this is the one that merits the description ‘beautiful’. It is beautiful in its subject matter, as we are privileged to join Mary in ‘sitting at Jesus’ feet to hear his word’. It is beautiful in its discernment of the structure and contours of the Lord’s teaching. It is beautiful in its objective—to create us in the image of the Son of God in holiness. And it is beautiful in expressing its message, for Gooding’s prose seems to me to rise to fresh heights to match the requirements of its subject. I come from this book with a much clearer understanding of John 13–17, but (even more) with a deeper, more informed, longing to be made like unto the Son of God in all things.

— Alec Motyer — Author, formerly Principal of Trinity College, BristolIf holiness is a reflection of the heart and character of God, then only God himself can teach us to be holy. In his final hours alone with his disciples Jesus does exactly that. The way in which David Gooding unpacks this crucial teaching not only demonstrates his profound scholarly understanding but is at the same time enthusiastic, clear and extremely readable. He reminds the reader that holiness is rooted in a deep personal relationship with God, through Christ, and is expressed in a life that flows out of that intimacy. This book is a treasure trove of insight which I recommend without hesitation to anyone who desires to be more like Jesus.

— Heidi Johnston — Author Life in the Big Story