Question 42: Loving One Another

Jesus kneels before his disciples with a basin and towel on the night before his crucifixion. He demonstrates humble, sacrificial service by washing their feet (John 13:1-5). He teaches them to follow his example and love as he loved them. Washing another’s feet means more than just being nice or helping someone out. Jesus teaches that love is the distinctive mark of his followers, making them recognizable to the world. The disciples needed to understand that this love involves the often hard, painful step of giving their lives away to others, just as Jesus was about to do for them on the cross.