In today’s gospel Jesus tells his disciples that they are to love each other as he has loved them. And how has he loved them? Well, John’s account of the Last Supper begins with the washing of feet. When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples he was teaching them an important lesson: “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” But the greatest manifestation of Jesus’ love for his disciples occurs the following day on the cross: “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Here we come to the ultimate test of love, and that test is sacrifice. And Jesus makes the ultimate sacrifice; he lays down his life.