DAILY TEXT, From today Friday April 7, 2023, This is my beloved Son; he has my approval. Listen to him (Matt. 17:5).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Friday April 7

This is my beloved Son; he has my approval. Listen to him (Matt. 17:5).

After falsely accusing and convicting him of a crime he did not commit, Jesus' enemies mock him, mercilessly torture him, and nail him to a stake. With his hands and feet crossed, every time he breathes and every time he speaks he feels terrible pain. But he can't keep quiet, because he has important things to say. Without a doubt, the last words of Jesus teach us important lessons. They remind us that we need to forgive others and trust that Jehovah will forgive us. We are honored to belong to a wonderful spiritual family that is there to help us. But when we need help, we must ask for it. We know that Jehovah will help us endure any trial. We understand how important it is to live each day as if it were our last chance to show our allegiance, and we are confident that Jehovah will resurrect us if we die. w21.04 8 par. 1; 13 para. 17.

What did Jesus get by staying loyal until death?

What Jesus said. At about 3:00 p.m. on Nisan 14, Jesus said, “It is fulfilled!” (John 19:30). A few moments before he died, Jesus knew that he had done everything that Jehovah wanted him to do. What did he get by staying loyal to death? First, he made it clear that Satan is a liar, for he demonstrated that a perfect human being could be totally faithful despite Satan's efforts. Second, he gave his life as a ransom. Thanks to his sacrifice, imperfect human beings can have a good relationship with God and hope to live forever. And, third, Jesus defended the sovereignty of Jehovah and the good name of his Father.

Explain how we should live each day.

What we learn We must be determined to stay loyal every day. Let's see what Brother Maxwell Friend, who was a teacher at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, said. At an international assembly, he said the following in a speech on loyalty: “Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do or say today. Are you sure there will be a tomorrow? Live each day as if it were your last chance to prove that you are worthy of living forever. Like brother said, let's live each day as if it's our last chance to stay loyal. Thus, even if we die, we can say to Jehovah: “I have done my best to be loyal to you, to prove Satan a liar, and to vindicate your name and your sovereignty.”

According to Luke 23:46, what was Jesus convinced of?

What Jesus said (read Luke 23:46). Full of confidence, Jesus said: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!" He knew that his future depended on Jehovah and he was convinced that his Father would remember him.

What do we learn from Joshua's example?

What we learn Let us be willing to put our life in the hands of Jehovah. To do that, we must trust him with all our hearts (Prov. 3:5). Consider the example of Joshua, a young Witness who was 15 years old and suffering from a terminal illness. He refused to accept medical treatment that went against God's laws. Shortly before he died, he told his mother: "I am in Jehovah's hands." And he added: “I can tell you this for sure, Mom: I know that Jehovah will raise me up. He has seen my heart and he knows that I really love him. We should all ask ourselves: “If I face a test and my life is in danger, will I remain loyal and trust that Jehovah will remember me and resurrect me?”

What lessons have we learned? (See also the box “What His Last Words Teach Us.”)

Without a doubt, the last words of Jesus teach us important lessons. They remind us that we need to forgive others and trust that Jehovah will forgive us. We are honored to belong to a wonderful spiritual family that is there to help us. But when we need help, we must ask for it. We know that Jehovah will help us endure any trial. We understand how important it is to live each day as if it were our last chance to show our allegiance, and we are confident that Jehovah will resurrect us if we die.

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