DAILY TEXT, Today's Thursday March 2, 2023, He who has seen me has seen the Father also (John 14:9).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Thursday 2 March

He who has seen me has seen the Father also (John 14:9).

We imitate Jehovah when we imitate Jesus' qualities and way of treating others; for example, the tenderness with which he treated a leper, the empathy he showed to a woman suffering from a harrowing disease, and the compassion with which he treated those who had lost loved ones (Mark 1:40, 41; 5:25-34; John 11:33-35). The more we strive to be like Jehovah, the closer we are to him. If we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we will not be distracted by this wicked world. His last night on Earth, Jesus was able to say, “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). What he meant was that he refused to allow this world to influence his goals and the way he thought and acted. He strove to never lose sight of why he had come to earth—to sanctify Jehovah's name. What will we do? There are many things that could distract us. But if we focus on doing Jehovah's will, as Jesus did, we too will be able to “overcome the world” (1 John 5:5). w21.04 3, 4 pars. 7, 8.

What should we do to not stray from the path that leads to eternal life?

If we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we will have eternal life. When a rich young man asked Jesus what he had to do to gain eternal life, he answered, "Come and be my follower" (Matt. 19:16-21). To some Jews who did not believe that he was the Christ, Jesus said: “My sheep . . . follow me. I give you eternal life” (John 10:24-29). And Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin who wanted to know what Jesus taught, was told that those who showed faith in him would gain eternal life (John 3:16). We demonstrate faith in Jesus when we apply what he taught through his words and example. If we do, we will not stray from the path that leads to eternal life (Matt. 7:14).

What must we do to get to know Jesus better? (John 17:3).

In order to faithfully follow in Jesus' footsteps, we must first get to know him (see John 17:3). Getting to know Jesus is an ongoing process. We have to get to know him better and better, that is, learn about his qualities, his way of thinking and his standards. Whether we have been in the truth for a long time or a short time, we must all continue to strive to come to know Jehovah and his Son.

What do the four Gospels contain?

11 Jehovah loves us so much that, to help us know his Son, he made the four Gospels included in his Word. These are historical accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. They tell us what he said, did and felt. These four books help us to think carefully about his example (Heb. 12:3). So to speak, in them we see the footsteps of Jesus. If we analyze the Gospels, we can get to know him better and better and thus follow in his footsteps faithfully.

How can we benefit the most from the Gospels?

It is not enough to read the Gospels to get the most out of them. We need to take time to study them carefully and meditate on what we read (compare Joshua 1:8). Let's look at two suggestions that can help us meditate on what we read in the Gospels and apply it.

How can we bring the Gospel accounts to life?

First, bring the Gospel accounts to life. Let's use our imagination to see, hear and feel what was happening at that moment. It may be useful for us to look for information in the publications provided by Jehovah's organization. Let's analyze the context of the passage we are studying. Let's find information about the people, places, and what happened before and after what we are reading. If it is an account that appears in other Gospels, let's compare them and perhaps we will find interesting details that one writer includes but another does not.

What do we have to do to apply the Gospel accounts?

Second, apply the Gospel accounts (John 13:17). After having carefully studied a story from the Gospels, let us ask ourselves: “What does this story teach me? How can I use it to help others?” Let's think of someone in particular who could help; then, when the time is right, let us tactfully and lovingly tell him the lesson we have learned.

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