DAILY TEXT, From today, Saturday, December 9, 2023, Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit! (Luke 23:46).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2023

Saturday December 9

Father, in your hands I entrust my spirit! (Luke 23:46).

Full of confidence, Jesus said the words of today's text. He knew that his future depended on Jehovah and he was convinced that his Father would remember him. What do we learn from what Jesus said? Let us be willing to put our lives in the hands of Jehovah. To do that, we must trust him with all our hearts (Prov. 3:5). Let's think about the example of Joshua, a young Witness who was 15 years old and suffering from a terminal illness. He refused to accept medical treatments that went against God's laws. Shortly before he died, he told his mother: “I am in the hands of Jehovah.” And he added: “I can tell you this with complete certainty, Mom: I know that Jehovah will resurrect me. He has seen my heart and he knows that I truly love him.” We should all ask ourselves: “If I face a trial and my life is in danger, will I remain loyal and trust that Jehovah will remember me and resurrect me?” w21.04 12, 13 paras. 15, 16.

"I'M THIRSTY"

Why did Jesus say the words we read in John 19:28?

What Jesus said (read John 19:28). Why did Jesus say he was thirsty? So that the prophecy we find in Psalm 22:15 would be fulfilled, which says: “My strength has dried up like a clay pot; "My tongue sticks to my gums." Furthermore, taking into account the terrible pain he felt when hanging on the tree, and after everything he had suffered, it is logical that he was very thirsty. He needed help calming her down.

What do we learn from Jesus saying he was thirsty?

What we learn. Jesus didn't think that expressing how he felt was a sign of weakness, and neither should we. We may not generally feel comfortable telling others about what we need. But, if at any time we need help, let's not hesitate to ask for it. For example, if we are older or sick, we may have to ask a friend to take us shopping or to a doctor's appointment. If we feel discouraged, we may need to ask an elder or another mature brother to listen to us or to speak “a good word” to encourage us (Prov. 12:25). Let us remember that our brothers love us and want to help us “in times of trouble” (Prov. 17:17). But they can't read our minds, so they won't know we need help unless we tell them.

“IT HAS BEEN FULFILLED!”

What did Jesus achieve by staying loyal until death?

What Jesus said. At about three o'clock in the afternoon on the 14th of Nisan, Jesus said, “It is fulfilled!” (John 19:30). Just moments before he died, Jesus knew that he had done everything Jehovah wanted him to do. What did he achieve by staying loyal until 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 remain loyal every day. Let's look at what Brother Maxwell Friend, who was a teacher at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, said. At an international assembly, he said this in a speech on loyalty: “Do not 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.” As the brother said, let's live each day as if it were our last chance to stay loyal. Thus, even if we die, we will be able to say to Jehovah: “I have done everything possible to be loyal to you, to prove that Satan is a liar, and to vindicate your name and your sovereignty.”

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