Study of the Watchtower, "The love of Christ compels us", Week of March 27 to April 2, 2023, Comments and Practical Answers.

Study of the Watchtower, "The love of Christ compels us", 27-March-2-April-2023, Comments and Answers. 

"The love of the Christ compels us, [...] so that those who live no longer live for themselves" (2 COR. 5:14, 15).

1, 2. (a) What feelings can meditate on the life and ministry of Jesus arouse in us?

For example, if we think about the suffering and death he had, it makes us feel grateful for the great value of his sacrifice. Now, if we think about the things that he did and said before he gave up his life, it makes us feel happy because he was a great man who helped many people which gives us an idea of ​​what he will do for us in the future. 

When we remember the death of Jesus and think about all that he suffered, we feel pain. But when we reflect on the meaning of his death, we value his sacrifice even more. Especially in this season of commemoration, since it is a time to meditate on the life of Jesus, the things he did when he was on earth, what he is doing now and what he will do in the future for us. which fills us with joy and gives us strength to endure.

1, 2. b) What will we see in this article?

We will see that meditating on all the things Jesus did and on the love he has for us should prompt us to show our gratitude in different ways.

GRATITUDE ENCOURAGES US TO FULLY FOLLOW JESUS

3. What reasons do we have to be grateful for the ransom?

We have many reasons. For example, the ransom allows us to be good friends with Jehovah and Jesus, hope to live forever, and also hope to see loved ones who have died again. 

4. What did Mary Magdalene do to show that she was grateful for what Jesus had done for her? (See drawing).

Mary Magdalene was very grateful to Jesus, since he had freed him from some demons that did not torment, and out of gratitude she became a follower of Christ, that is why Luke 8:13 says that she used her time and energy to preach with Jesus and other disciples. Also, as we see in the drawing, when Jesus was nailed to the Tree, she stayed close by to give her support to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to others who were present. Similarly, in Mark 16:1 and 2, it says that when Jesus was in the tomb, Mary Magdalene and two other women brought some aromatic spices to apply to Jesus' body. So, in different ways she showed how grateful she was to Jesus.

5. How can we show our gratitude for all that Jehovah and Jesus have done for us?

We can do this by using our time, energy, and financial resources to further Kingdom activities. Also, we can offer to help in the construction and maintenance of the buildings that we use to worship Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

In the image we see a young sister reflecting on what she is reading in the Bible. She envisions Mary Magdalene comforting Mary, the mother of Jesus, as he hangs on the torture stake. So meditating on the example of Mary Magdalene will prompt us to show our gratitude to Jehovah and Jesus with our actions, time, energy and financial resources to support the work of the kingdom, especially in the season of commemoration. also helping people through the comfort that the Bible offers.

A young sister reflects on what she is reading in the Bible. She envisions Mary Magdalene comforting Mary, the mother of Jesus, as he hangs on the torture stake. How does meditating on the example of Mary Magdalene prompt you to be grateful? (See paragraphs 4 and 5).

LOVE FOR JEHOVAH AND JESUS ​​ENCOURAGES US TO LOVE OTHERS

6. Why do we say that the ransom is a gift to each one of us?

The ransom is a valuable gift because, without it, it would not have been possible to have a friendship with Jehovah, as John 6:44 says, thanks to Jesu s' sacrifice, Jehovah drew us to him to be his friends. In addition, he made it possible for sin and death to be completely abolished. So, meditating with gratitude on the ransom makes us feel very grateful to Jehovah and Jesus for the great love they have shown us.

7. As seen in the photograph, what can we all do to show that we love Jehovah and Jesus? (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; 6:1, 2).

As seen in the photograph, the love we have for Jehovah and Jesus should prompt us to preach to all people without exception. For this reason, in 2 Corinthians 5: 14,15 the apostle Paul wrote that: The love of Christ compels us, so that we will no longer live for ourselves, but for whom he died for us and was raised. So we must preach to all kinds of people so that they will be saved and come to have an accurate knowledge of the truth.

ILLUSTRATION

The young sister in the photo above invites a classmate to the Memorial. Love for God and Christ drives us to preach to everyone without exception. (See paragraph 7).

8. How can we show that we love our brothers?

We show that we love our brothers when we care personally for them and help them when they are going through difficult times. Also, we show our love when we comfort them when they lose a loved one, visit them when they are sick and encourage those who are depressed, without forgetting to pray for them, because we are sure that prayer has a powerful effect.

9. How else can we show that we love our brothers?

Another way to show that we love our siblings is by doing our best to get along with them. And if we have had a misunderstanding with one of them, we must promptly take the initiative to make peace and be willing to forgive just as Jehovah and Jesus do with each of us.

10, 11. How can elders show that they love Jehovah and Jesus? (1 Peter 5:1, 2).

They do so when they lovingly care for the sheep of Christ. In 1 Peter 5:1,2, the apostle Peter pleads with the elders to shepherd God's flock willingly and earnestly. Also, Jesus himself told Peter to care for the Lord's sheep with affection, therefore, elders are expected to Care for the sheep because this shows that they love Jehovah and Jesus. Also another way to show this love is by making a special effort to help those who are inactive, in addition, they should pay attention to Bible students and those who go to the Memorial for the first time.

LOVE FOR CHRIST ENCOURAGES US TO BE COURAGEOUS

12. Why does it help us to be courageous to think about what Jesus said the night before he died? (John 16:32, 33).

Jesus said in the texts of John 16: 32,33, that in the world we are going to have sufferings, but, he encouraged us to be brave, since he overcame the world. Jesus knew that we, his disciples, would have tests, how did he, but he was sure that Jehovah is more powerful than any enemy, that's why he asked him to take care of us. So what will help us to be courageous and overcome our fears is trusting completely in Jehovah and leaning on him.

Jesus knew that his followers would go through trials similar to his own. Among them: Opposition, persecution, defamation and even death. Therefore, John 17:11 shows that Jesus asked Jehovah to take care of his disciples. So that also helps us to be brave in this world, because there is no threat or enemy strong enough for Jehovah, the almighty. In addition, Jehovah is very aware of everything and ready to help us overcome our fears and to give us more courage whenever necessary.

13. How did Joseph of Arimathea show courage?

Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin, when he met Jesus he became a disciple of him, but in secret, possibly due to fear of losing the respect of the Jewish community. However, the Bible says that after Jesus died, he plucked up his courage and went before Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. So he no longer hid his faith in Jesus and in doing this he showed great courage.

14. What should we do if we are worried about what they will say?

What we must do is ask Jehovah to help us and to give us courage to do his will. In Isaiah 41:10 13 Jehovah tells us not to be afraid, because he is our God and he will give us strength if he will help us, so these texts assure us that Jehovah wishes and can make us strong and courageous.

JOY ENCOURAGES US TO SERVE JEHOVAH WITHOUT STOP

15. What effect did the joy of seeing the risen Jesus have on the disciples? (Luke 24:52, 53).

It had a positive effect on them, because as Luke 2452 53 says, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy and it prompted them to always be in the temple praising Jehovah. In addition, Jesus entrusted them with the important task of preaching, so every day, without stopping, they continued teaching and declaring the good news about Christ.

16. How can we follow the example of Jesus' disciples?

We can follow his example by joyfully serving Jehovah and putting the Kingdom first. For that we must strive to preach more time, attend meetings and have family Adoration every week. We can also help more in our congregation or support preaching where there is a greater need for publishers.

17. What should we do during this time of Memorial? (See photo).

We must take time to carefully analyze the events of Jesus' last week on earth. It would be good if we looked for biblical passages that help us feed our gratitude, love, value and joy for what Jehovah and Jesus did for us. In our Bible it appears in appendix B12 about these events. And as we see in the photograph we must study, reflect on how we can show that we are heartily grateful for the valuable sacrifice of Jesus

ILLUSTRATION

In the image for this paragraph we see a young sister who supplements her Bible reading with the information that appears in the table of the PNC B12 of the New World Translation titled: The last week of Jesus on earth. As we can see, at the time of her commemoration she has taken time to reflect on what Jehovah and Jesus have done for her. We too can do the same.

The young sister complements her reading of the Bible with the information that appears in the table of appendix B12 of the “New World Translation”, titled “The last week of Jesus on earth”. During the Memorial season, take time to reflect on what Jehovah and Jesus have done for you. (See paragraph 17).

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

In what ways do we show our gratitude for “the love of the Christ”?

We show our gratitude by using our time, energy, and financial resources to further Kingdom activities. For example, we can offer to help build and maintain the buildings we use to worship Jehovah.

How does “the love of the Christ” prompt us to love others and be courageous?

Love for Jehovah and Christ compels us to preach to all people without exception. Also, it helps us to love our brothers, comfort ourselves and give them our support when they are going through difficult times. We must also strive to get along and be willing to forgive. And, the love of Christ will drive us to be courageous, because we are convinced that Jehovah is more powerful than any enemy, so if we fully rely on him, we can overcome any fear and continue to be courageous.

What should we do so that "the love of Christ" fills us with joy?

We must put the Kingdom first. For that we must strive to preach more time, go to meetings and have family worship all week. We can also help more in our congregation or go preach where there is a greater need for publishers. And during this season of remembrance we need to reflect and think about how we can show our heartfelt gratitude for Jesus' precious sacrifice.

For example, some have changed their work schedules in order to have more time to preach, attend meetings, and do family worship each week. 

Some have even decided to forego things that others consider essential in order to help more in the congregation or to go and preach where there are very few Witnesses.