How much love Jesus showed! (10 mins.)
Brothers and sisters, let's think about something very human: who among us likes to be rejected? No one, right? Regardless of our age, we all feel that natural desire to be accepted, to be liked by others, and to feel valued.
But today we're going to analyze an example that truly makes us reflect: that of our Lord Jesus Christ. He had to face a very harsh reality: for doing what was right, he wouldn't be liked by everyone. In fact, he was despised. And yet, he persevered.
Jesus would be despised (Is 53:3; Mt 26:67, 68; w10 11/15 7 par. 2).
Let's see how Jesus' love was much greater than his need to be accepted.
LET'S READ ISAIAH 53:3
“He was a man despised and shunned by people, who would have to face pain and who was familiar with illness. It was as if his face was hidden from us. He was despised, and we considered him worthless.”
This text contains a shocking prophecy about the Messiah: “He was a man despised and rejected by people… He was despised, and we considered him as worthless.”
What a powerful description. The Son of God, the promised Messiah, would be someone rejected, ignored, treated as if he were worthless. And that's exactly what happened. Although some people followed him with love and faith, the vast majority rejected him. They didn't see him as important.
Now let's think about ourselves. Are we greatly influenced by what others think? Young people, especially, can feel this pressure at school. But adults can too, at work or with their families.
We want to be accepted, and that's not a bad thing. However, there's a reality we can't ignore: if we stand up for what's right, we won't always be liked by everyone. Jesus knew this… and yet he still did what was right.
He would let them mistreat him (Is 53:7; ip-2 205 par. 25).
Now let's look at something even more shocking. He wasn't just despised, he was also mistreated.
LET'S READ MATTHEW 26:67, 68
“Then they spat in his face and punched him. Others slapped him 68 and said to him, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?’”
Brothers, let us try to imagine that scene. The King appointed by God, being spat upon, struck, mocked. People laughing at him, humiliating him.
How would we feel if someone mocked our beliefs at work or school? It would probably hurt a lot. Jesus went through that… and much more. But what's most surprising isn't just what they did to him, but how he reacted.
LET'S READ ISAIAH 53:7
“He was oppressed and mistreated, yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
What extraordinary self-control! Jesus had the power to change the situation in an instant. In fact, he himself said he could have called upon more than twelve legions of angels. But he didn't.
He did not defend himself before Pilate, nor did he respond to the false accusations. Why? Because he did not want to say anything that would hinder the fulfillment of Jehovah's will. His silence was not weakness. It was a display of extraordinary courage, born of love.
Out of love, Jesus was willing to suffer to do Jehovah's will and bear our sins (Is 53:10-12; Jn 14:31; 15:13).
Now we come to the key point: why did Jesus allow all that suffering? The answer lies in texts like Isaiah 53:10-12 and John 15:13. Jesus was willing to suffer and die because he loves us deeply.
LET'S READ ISAIAH 53:11
“Because he has suffered so much, he will see the results and be satisfied. Through his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many and bear their sins.”
He knew that his death would not be in vain. He knew that by bearing our sins, he would open the way for us to be freed from sin, sickness, and death.
As he is called in the Bible, he was the “Lamb of God.” The last night of his life clearly demonstrates this. He could have avoided everything. He could have asked for heavenly help. But he said, “How would the Scriptures be fulfilled?”
Jesus was completely determined to do Jehovah's will, even if it meant intense suffering. And he did it out of love. A love so great that he was willing to endure rejection, physical pain, and humiliation—all to give us the opportunity to live.
Illustration
The picture in our activity guide shows Jesus with his head covered, surrounded by religious leaders. One of them strikes him while the others mock him. This scene teaches us that, for Jesus, doing Jehovah's will and his love for mankind was more important than avoiding being despised and mistreated.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, this example teaches us a very clear lesson. When we go through times when we feel rejected by the world for being Jehovah's servants, let us remember Jesus. Let us remember that he too was despised and mistreated. But above all, let us remember how much love he showed.
If he was willing to suffer so much for us, shouldn't we show him our love by being loyal, even if it means not being popular or being different?
Let us follow Jesus' example. Let us always put Jehovah's approval above all else. And let us always remember: How much love Jesus showed!
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