DAILY TEXT, Today Monday April 3, 2023, I lay down my life (John 10:17).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Monday, April 3

I lay down my life (John 10:17).

Let's try to imagine what Jesus' last day on Earth was like. Roman soldiers beat him mercilessly (Matt. 26:52-54; John 18:3; 19:1). They whipped him with a whip that tore his flesh. Then they made him carry a heavy pole on his bloody back. Jesus began to drag the tree to the place of execution. But immediately the Roman soldiers forced a man to carry it for him (Matt. 27:32). When Jesus finally arrived at the place where he would die, his executioners nailed his hands and feet to the tree. The weight of his body further opened the nail wounds. While his friends and his mother suffered and wept, the Jewish rulers mocked Jesus (Luke 23:32-38; John 19:25). This agony went on for hours. His heart and his lungs were at the limit of his strength, And it was getting harder and harder to breathe. Knowing that he had been loyal, with his last breath he prayed to Jehovah. Then he bowed his head and laid down his life (Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 10:18; 19:30). What a slow, painful and humiliating death! w21.04 16 par. 4.

For Jesus, what was worse than the way he died?

For Jesus, the worst thing was not the way he died, but the accusation for which he was executed. They falsely accused him of blasphemy, that is, disrespecting God or his name (Matt. 26: 64-66). The thought of being accused of blasphemy tormented Jesus so much that he hoped that his Father would deliver him from that humiliation (Matt. 26:38, 39, 42). Why did Jehovah allow his beloved Son to suffer and die? Let's look at three reasons.

Why did Jesus have to be hung on a tree?

First, Jesus had to be hung on a tree to free the Jews from a curse (Gal. 3:10, 13). They received that curse because they had promised to obey the Law of God and had not done so. To this was added the condemnation they had inherited for Adam's sin (Rom. 5:12). The Law that God had given to Israel stated that a man who committed a sin that deserved the death penalty had to be executed. Then, in some cases, the corpse was hung on a tree (Deut. 21:22, 23; 27:26).b So, by being hung on a tree, Jesus made it possible for the very nation that had rejected Him to benefited from his sacrifice.

What is the second reason why God allowed his Son to suffer?

Second, God allowed his Son to suffer in order to prepare him for his role as High Priest. Jesus experienced how difficult it is to obey God when going through severe trials. He felt so much pressure that he had to pray for help "with loud cries and tears." No doubt, after going through such intense emotional anguish, Jesus understands us and "is able to help those who are tried." How grateful we are that Jehovah has appointed a High Priest who “can sympathize with our weaknesses” (Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:14-16; 5:7-10).

What is the third reason that God allowed Jesus to be tested to the limit?

Third, Jehovah allowed Jesus to suffer so much in order to answer this important question: Can human beings remain loyal to Jehovah even under the harshest tests? Satan says no, as he claims that we serve God out of selfishness. Furthermore, he believes that, like our ancestor Adam, we do not love Jehovah (Job 1:9-11; 2:4, 5). Because Jehovah was convinced that his Son would be loyal, he allowed Jesus to be tested to the limit. With his loyalty, Jesus proved that Satan is a liar.

Bible reading for the Memorial of 2023

(During the day: Nisan 12) 

Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16.

Luke 22:1-6.

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