Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Thursday, May 5, 2022
I call you friends (John 15:15).
In general, for two people to become friends, they must spend time together and talk about what they think, what they feel and their experiences. But when we think about being friends with Jesus, it may seem more difficult. One of the reasons is that we do not know Jesus in person. The same thing happened to many first-century Christians. Despite this, the apostle Peter told them: “Although you never saw him, you love him. Although they do not see him now, they show faith in him” (1 Pet. 1:8). Thus, it is not necessary to know Jesus in person to be his friend. Also, we can't talk to Jesus. When we pray, we turn to Jehovah. It is true that we pray in the name of Jesus, but we do not speak directly to him. In fact, Jesus does not want us to pray to him, since prayer is part of our worship, and we should only worship Jehovah (Matt. 4:10). Still, it is possible to show that we love Jesus. w20.04 20 paras. 1-3
What is the second step in becoming friends with Jesus, and why is it important?
Second, let us think and act like Jesus. The better we know and imitate his way of thinking, the stronger our friendship with him will be (1 Cor. 2:16). How can we imitate it? Let's see an example. Helping others was more important to him than pleasing himself (Matt. 20:28; Rom. 15:1-3). Since he thought this way, he sacrificed himself for them and forgave them. He was not easily offended by what was said about him (John 1:46, 47). And he didn't “freeze” people in time by reminding him of his mistakes over and over again (1 Tim. 1:12-14). It is important to follow his example, for he said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Therefore, let us ask ourselves: “Just like Jesus, do I do everything possible to be at peace with my brothers?”
What is the third step in becoming friends with Jesus, and how do we take it?
Third, let us support the brothers of Christ. Jesus considers that what we do for his anointed brothers is as if we did it for him (Matt. 25: 34-40). The main way to support them is by participating fully in the work that he entrusted to his followers: preaching the Kingdom and making disciples (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 10:42). The help of the “other sheep” is necessary for the brothers of Christ to fulfill the worldwide preaching campaign that takes place today (John 10:16). If we are of the other sheep, every time we participate in this work we show that we love the anointed ones and also Jesus.
How can we put Jesus' advice in Luke 16:9 into practice?
We also become friends with Jehovah and Jesus by using our money to support the work they lead (read Luke 16:9). For example, we can donate funds to the worldwide work to support the preaching work in isolated areas, the construction and maintenance of our theocratic facilities, and relief efforts. We can also make donations in our congregation and help the brothers who we know are in need (Prov. 19:17). In these ways we support the brothers of Christ.
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