FAITHFUL TO THE END

Jesus set the finest example of loyal obedience to God.  He remained faithful to his heavenly Father under all kinds of circumstances and despite all types of opposition and suffering.  Jesus firmly and successfully resisted Satan's temptations. (Matthew 4:1-11) At one time, some of Jesus' own relatives did not put faith in him, even saying that he was "out of his mind."  (Mark 3:21)  But Jesus did not let them influence him; he kept right on doing God's work.  Despite insults and abuse, Jesus maintained self-control, never trying to harm his opposers. -1 Peter 2:21-23. 

Jesus remained faithful until death-a cruel and painful death at the hands of his enemies.  (Philippians 2:8)   Consider what he endured on the last day of his life as a human.  He was arrested, accused by  false witnesses, convicted by corrupt judges, laughed at by mobs, and tortured by soldiers.  Nailed to a stake, (not a cross)  he took his last breath, crying out: "It has been accomplished! "  (John 19:30) However, on the third day after Jesus died, his heavenly Father resurrected him back  to spirit life.  (1 Peter 3:18)  A few weeks later, he returned to heaven.  There, he "sat down at the right hand of God" and waited to receive kingly power. -Hebrews 10:12, 13. 

What did Jesus accomplish by remaining faithful until death?  Jesus' death actually opens to us the opportunity for eternal life on a paradise earth, in harmony with Jehovah's original purpose.  How Jesus' death makes that possible will  be discussed in the next chapter.  

Next time: The Ransom - God's Greatest Gift,  Chapter Five

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006