DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday April 5, 2023, You will be with me in Paradise (Luc. 23:43).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Wednesday April 5

You will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).

Together with Jesus, two criminals were impaled on stakes (Luke 23:40, 41). One of them said to him: "Remember me when you enter your Kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Jesus knew that his Father is merciful; that is why he was able to give hope to that delinquent shortly before he died (Ps. 103: 8; Heb. 1: 3). Jehovah wants to forgive us and show us mercy if we sincerely repent of the bad things we have done and have faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.—1 John 1:7. But what can we do if we sometimes find it hard to believe that Jehovah will forgive us? Consider this: Shortly before he died, Jesus showed mercy to the criminal who was just beginning to show faith. So how is Jehovah not going to show mercy to his faithful servants? (Ps. 51:1; 1 John 2:1, 2). w21.04 15:5, 6

“THERE IS YOUR SON”, “THERE IS YOUR MOTHER”

According to John 19:26, 27, what did Jesus say to Mary and John, and why?

What Jesus said (John 19:26, 27). Jesus wanted his mother, who was possibly a widow, to be well cared for. Once he died, his siblings could provide for his material needs. But apparently they were not yet disciples. So who would take care of Mary's spiritual needs? John was a faithful apostle and one of Jesus' best friends. For Jesus, those who worshiped Jehovah were like his family in a spiritual sense (Matt. 12: 46-50). Therefore, because she loved her mother and was concerned about her well-being, Jesus entrusted her care to John, knowing that he would help her continue to serve Jehovah. He said to Maria: “There you have your son”, and then he said to Juan: “There you have your mother”. From that moment on, Maria saw Juan as if he were hers and he took care of her as if he were her mother.

What do we learn from what Jesus told Mary and John?

What we learn It is possible that we are closer to the brothers in the congregation than to our direct family. Some relatives may turn against us or even abandon us. But, as Jesus promised, if we stay close to Jehovah and his organization, we will receive “100 times more” than what we lose. Many will become like sons, daughters, mothers or fathers to us (Mark 10:29, 30). How does it feel to be part of a spiritual family that is united because we all have faith and love Jehovah and the brothers? (Col. 3:14; 1 Pet. 2:17).

"OMG, WHY HAVE YOU ABANDONED ME?"

What do the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 27:46 teach us?

What Jesus said. Shortly before dying, Jesus cried out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46). The Bible does not explain why Jesus said those words. But let's think about what they teach us. On the one hand, by saying them, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy found in Psalm 22:1.b On the other hand, his words make it clear that Jehovah did not put “a protective hedge” around his Son (Job 1 :10). Jesus understood that his Father had completely left him in the hands of his enemies so that he could prove his faith to death, like no other human being has ever been tested. Furthermore, with those words he confirmed that he had not committed any crime deserving of death.

What lessons do we learn from what Jesus said to his Father?

What we learn One lesson is that we should not expect Jehovah to protect us from trials. Like Jesus, we must be prepared to be faithful until death if necessary (Matt. 16:24, 25). But we know that God will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13). Another lesson we learn is that, like Jesus, we may suffer injustice (1 Pet. 2:19, 20). People do not turn against us because we have done something wrong, but because we are not part of the world and bear witness to the truth (John 17:14; 1 Pet. 4:15, 16). Jesus understood why Jehovah was allowing him to suffer. Instead, some faithful servants, when going through trials, have wondered why Jehovah allowed what was happening (Hab. 1:3). As he is merciful and patient,

Bible reading for the Memorial

(during the day: nisan 14)

Matthew 27:1, 2, 27-37

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