Imitate the One Who Promises Everlasting LIfe

"Become imitators of God, as beloved children." -EPHESIANS 5:1.


JEHOVAH created us with the ability to understand how other people feel, even if we have never been in their situation.  (Read Ephesians 5:1,2)  How can this ability help us to imitate Jehovah? And why do we need  to be careful of how we use this ability?

Jehovah has promised us a wonderful future without any suffering. Both the anointed and the "other sheep" can look forward to everlasting life, whether in heaven or on earth.  (John 10:16; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 15:53)  But Jehovah understands the pain we feel when bad things happen to us today. In the past, Jehovah felt hurt when his people suffered in Egypt.  "It was distressing to him." (Isaiah 63:9) And later, when his people were rebuilding his temple and were afraid of their enemies, Jehovah understood how they felt. He told them:  "Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye."  (Zechariah 2:8) Just as a mother feels love for her baby, Jehovah feels love for his servants and wants to help them.  (Isaiah 49:15) We imitate Jehovah's love when we try to understand how others feel by imagining ourselves in their situation.-Psalm 103:13, 14. 

JESUS IMITATED JEHOVAH AND LOVED PEOPLE

Jesus understood how people felt when they were suffering, even though he had never  been in their situation. For example, he knew that many people had a hard life. The religious leaders  lied to them and made many rules that were not from God. People were afraid of these leaders.  (Matthews 23:4; Mark 7:1-5; John 7:13) Even though Jesus was never afraid of them and never believed their lies, he could understand how the people felt. It hurt Jesus deeply when he saw how badly they were treated.  They were left without help, "like sheep  without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9:36) Jesus learned from his Father to love people and be "merciful  and compassionate." -Psalm 103:8.

When Jesus saw that people were suffering, he helped them because he loved them. He was just like his Father. For example, one time after Jesus and his apostles had traveled a long way to preach, they were tired and needed to rest in a quiet place. But Jesus saw many people waiting for him. He understood that they needed his help, so even though he was tired, he "started to teach them many things." -Mark 6:30, 31, 34.

Next time: Imitate the One Who Promises Everlasting Life - BE LOVING LIKE JEHOVAH 

From the jw.org publcations