Watchtower Study, Week of March 16-22, 2026, Why We Need the Rescue, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, March 16-22, 2026, Why We Need the Rescue, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (ROM. 7:24).

1, 2. Why do we need to be rescued? (Romans 7:22-24; see also the picture.)

Imagine a building collapses and a person is trapped under the rubble. They are still alive, but trapped and need someone to rescue them. All they can do is scream for help and wait for someone to come to their aid.

2 Each of us is in a similar situation. Why do we say that? When Adam disobeyed his Creator, he became a sinner. All human beings come from him, so we are all sinners. In a sense, we are trapped under the rubble of inherited sin and need someone to pull us out. In his Letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul describes the situation we find ourselves in (read Romans 7:22-24). There he pleads for someone to free him “from the body that is suffering this death.” He felt trapped by the sin inherited from Adam, which sooner or later would cause his death. (Rom. 6:23). And we are in the same situation: we need to be rescued.

ILLUSTRATION

A man is injured, trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building, and raises an arm for help.

Just as a man trapped under the rubble of a building needs to be rescued, we are trapped by inherited sin and need someone to rescue us. (See paragraphs 1 and 2.)

3. What makes rescue possible?

3 After mentioning his dire situation, Paul offered a glimmer of hope. Right after asking, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” he answered forcefully: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:25). The apostle was referring to the rescue through Jesus’ sacrifice. This rescue makes possible 1) the forgiveness of our sins, 2) our physical and emotional healing, and 3) reconciliation with our Creator. As we analyze these points, our love for “the God who gives hope” and our gratitude toward Jesus, “through whom we have our redemption by ransom” (Rom. 15:13; Col. 1:14), will grow.

IT MAKES THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS POSSIBLE

4, 5. Why do we all need the ransom? (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

4 We need redemption to obtain forgiveness for our sins. All imperfect human beings sin, whether through our words or actions. (Read Ecclesiastes 7:20.) Some sins are especially serious. For example, according to the Mosaic Law, those who committed adultery or murder were to be put to death (Lev. 20:10; Num. 35:30, 31). And there are other sins that are not as serious, but are still sins. The psalmist David said: “I will watch my steps so that I do not sin with my tongue” (Ps. 39:1). As we can see, it is possible to sin even with what we say (Jas. 3:2).

5 Let's think about our past words and actions. Have we said things we wish we hadn't? Have we done things we regret? Unfortunately, we all have to answer yes. The Bible explains: “If we say ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 Juan 1:8).

6, 7. What basis does Jehovah have for forgiving our sins? (See also the picture.)

6 Jehovah’s perfect justice requires a valid basis for forgiving our sins. He provided that basis by sending Jesus to die to redeem us (Eph. 1:7). Now, does this mean that, since Jehovah can forgive us, he is indifferent to whether we sin or not? On the contrary, he is concerned (Isa. 59:2).

7 The Law of Moses required the Israelites to sacrifice animals to atone for their sins (Lev. 4:27-31; 17:11). Those sacrifices were a foreshadowing of something much greater: the sacrifice of Jesus and His wonderful blessings. Jesus' death would give Jehovah a legal basis to forgive our sins. In one of his letters, Paul spoke to the Christians in Corinth about the great value of Jesus’ sacrifice. After mentioning some of the bad things they had done in the past, he told them: “You have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

ILLUSTRATION

An Israeli family goes smiling to the temple and hands a sheep to a priest.

The animal sacrifices offered by the Israelites were a foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice and his wonderful blessings. (See paragraphs 6 and 7.)

8. What can we think about before attending the Commemoration this year?

8 Before attending this year’s Memorial, let us take time to reflect on how we benefit from knowing that Jehovah forgives us. For example, thanks to the ransom, we do not have to torment ourselves by dwelling on past sins for which we have already repented. What if we find it hard to accept that he has forgiven us? Perhaps we think: “Even if Jehovah forgives me, I am not capable of forgiving myself.” But let us remember that Jehovah is the one responsible for forgiveness, and he has given his Son the authority to judge us. He has not entrusted any of us with the task of deciding who will receive his mercy. The Bible says: “If we walk in the light, [...] the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6, 7) We can believe this Bible teaching as much as we believe all the others. The ransom has given Jehovah the legal basis to show us mercy, and his Word teaches that he is “willing to forgive.” (Ps. 86:5).

IT MAKES OUR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALING POSSIBLE

9. To what things does the word sin refer? (Psalm 51:5 and the footnote).

9 In the Bible, the word sin refers not only to something bad we do, but also to something we inherit from the moment we are conceived: imperfection. (Read Psalm 51:5 and the footnote.) This imperfection not only pushes us towards bad things, but also generates weaknesses in our bodies that make us sick, age, and die. This explains why even a baby can get sick and die even though it has done nothing wrong, and why both bad and good people suffer and die. It is a situation in which all of us imperfect descendants of Adam find ourselves.

10. How did Adam and Eve feel when they sinned and became imperfect?

10 Let us think about how Adam and Eve felt when they sinned and became imperfect. As soon as they violated God's law—which was "written on their hearts"—they began to suffer the terrible consequences within themselves. (Rom. 2:15). They realized that something inside them had changed for the worse. They felt the need to cover certain parts of their bodies and hide from their Creator as if they were criminals. (Gen. 3:7, 8) For the first time in their lives, they experienced guilt, anxiety, insecurity, pain, and shame. To a greater or lesser degree, these feelings would accompany them until the day they died. (Gen. 3:16-19).

11. What effect does imperfection have on us?

11 Since we are all imperfect, we too are accompanied by the same feelings as Adam and Eve. Imperfection is the cause of our physical and emotional suffering. And, although we strive hard to improve our situation, the results we can achieve are limited. In fact, the Bible says that humanity in general—and not just each one of us—is “subjected to futility” (Rom. 8:20). For example, human beings have tried to end pollution, crime, poverty, and wars. And what have they achieved? Aside from a few small advances, they have generally failed. However, thanks to the rescue, we have real hope.

12. What hope do we have thanks to the rescue?

12 The rescue makes it possible for us to hope “that creation itself will also be freed from its enslavement to corruption.” (Rom. 8:21).  This means that, when we are in the new world and have achieved perfection, we will no longer suffer from physical, mental, or emotional illnesses, nor will we be tormented by feelings of guilt, anxiety, insecurity, pain, or shame. Furthermore, under the reign of Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace,” who rescued us, we will be able to take good care of the Earth and live in peace. (Is. 9:6, 7).

13. What else can we meditate on before attending the Memorial this year?

13 Let's think about what our lives will be like when we are no longer imperfect. Every day we will wake up feeling good and we will never have to worry about ourselves or our loved ones going hungry, getting sick, or dying. Even now we can feel peace by “clinging to the hope that is before us,” for we know that “this sure and steadfast hope we have is like an anchor for the soul.” (Heb. 6:18, 19). Just as an anchor stabilizes a ship, meditating on our hope stabilizes our faith and helps us to endure any trial. We are convinced that Jehovah “rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11:6). The comfort we receive now and the hope we have for the future are only possible thanks to the rescue.

IT MAKES RECONCILIATION POSSIBLE

14. When Adam and Eve sinned, what happened to our friendship with Jehovah, and why?

14 Since Adam and Eve sinned, human beings have been separated from God (Colossians 1:21). In fact, the Bible says that humanity is at enmity with the Creator. (Rom. 8:7, 8). Why? Because Jehovah is perfect, and his righteous standards do not allow him to approve of sin. A Bible writer told him: “Your eyes are too pure to see what is bad, and you cannot tolerate wickedness.” (Hab. 1:13) As we see, sin has opened a chasm between God and humankind. None of us can have a relationship with Jehovah unless a bridge is built to reconcile us to him. The ransom is that bridge that makes reconciliation possible.

15. In what sense did the ransom appease Jehovah?

15 The Bible says that Jesus is “a reconciliation sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:2). The Greek word here translated “reconciliation sacrifice” literally means “propitiatory sacrifice” and can refer to a “means of appeasement.” In what sense did the ransom appease Jehovah? This does not mean that the death of his Son somehow calmed or reassured him, but rather that it managed to appease or satisfy his standard of justice. Now Jehovah had a basis for restoring his good relationship with humans (Rom. 3:23-26). Thanks to the ransom, he could even consider righteous those who had served him faithfully before Christ’s death. (Gen. 15:1, 6). Why? Because he was absolutely convinced that his Son, Jesus, would pay that ransom (Isa. 46:10). As we see, the rescue opens the door for human beings to be reconciled with God.

16. What else can we reflect on before attending the Memorial this year? (See also the image.)

16 Let us consider the effect that reconciling ourselves to God has had on our lives. For example, we can call Jehovah “Father,” just as Jesus taught us (Matt. 6:9). And we probably often say that God is our friend. But we must always do both with humility and deep respect. Why? Because we are imperfect. If we can feel close to Jehovah and be his friends, it is not because of our own merits, but solely thanks to the ransom. Through Jesus, Jehovah made it possible “to reconcile to himself all things . . . by making peace through the blood he shed on the torture stake.” (Col. 1:19, 20) That is why we can have a good relationship with Jehovah even though we are imperfect.

ILLUSTRATION

Two Roman soldiers lead Jesus towards the torture stake while another soldier waits for them with a hammer and a nail in his hands.

Jesus’ death is the legal basis for Jehovah to restore his good relationship with humans. (See paragraph 16.)

SHOWS THAT JEHOVAH IS MERCIFUL

17. Why does the ransom clearly show that Jehovah is merciful? (Ephesians 2:4, 5)

17 The ransom clearly shows that Jehovah “is rich in mercy,” for “he gave us life [...] when we were dead because of our offenses.” (Read Ephesians 2:4, 5.) Those who have “the right attitude for gaining everlasting life” are aware that they are trapped under the rubble of inherited sin and that they need to be rescued (Acts 13:48). That is why they cry out for help, and Jehovah comes to their aid by means of the Kingdom message so that they can come to know him and his Son (John 17:3). If Satan thought that Adam and Eve's disobedience thwarted Jehovah's purpose, he was very wrong.

18. When meditating on the rescue, what should we not forget?

18 Besides meditating on the personal benefits of the ransom, we must not forget that there is a much more important matter at stake. Jehovah did not give this gift merely to save us, but to answer the challenge that Satan issued in the garden of Eden. (Gen. 3:1-5, 15). Through the ransom, Jehovah sanctifies his name and cleanses his reputation. He also frees us from sin and death, thus demonstrating that he is a God of love. Furthermore, because of His undeserved kindness, He allows us, despite our imperfections, to do our part in responding to Satan's challenge. (Prov. 27:11). How grateful we are for the rescue! How can we show it? We will see in the next article.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

How does redemption make the forgiveness of our sins possible?

The ransom makes the forgiveness of our sins possible because Jehovah's perfect justice required a valid basis for forgiving them. He provided that basis by sending Jesus to die to redeem us.

How does rescue make our physical and emotional healing possible?

The rescue makes our physical and emotional healing possible because, when we are in the new world and have reached perfection, we will no longer suffer from physical, mental, or emotional illnesses, nor will we be tormented by feelings of guilt, anxiety, insecurity, pain, or shame.

How does rescue make reconciliation possible?

The ransom makes reconciliation between humans and God possible because it appeases or satisfies his standard of justice. Now Jehovah has a basis for restoring his good relationship with humans. Thanks to the ransom, he could even consider righteous those who had served him faithfully before Christ’s death, because he was convinced that his Son Jesus would pay that ransom.