Since becoming the Messianic King in 1914, Jesus has promoted justice in the earth How so? He has sponsored the fulfillment of his prophecy found at Matthew 24:14. Jesus' followers on earth have taught people of all lands the truth about Jehovah's Kingdom. Like Jesus, they have preached in an impartial and just manner, seeking to give everyone-young or old, rich or poor, male or female-an opportunity to come to know Jehovah, the God of justice.
Jesus is also promoting justice within the Christian congregation, of which he is the Head. As prophesied, he provides "gifts in men," faithful Christian elders who take the lead in the congregation. (Ephesians 4:8-12) In shepherding the precious flock of God, such men follow the example of Jesus Christ in promoting justice. They keep ever in mind that Jesus wants his sheep to be dealt with justly-regardless of position, prominence, or material circumstances.
In the near future, though, Jesus will set justice in the earth in an unprecedented way. Injustice is rampant in this corrupt world. Every child that dies of starvation is a victim of an inexcusable injustice, especially when we think of the money and time that are lavished on producing weapons of war and indulging the selfish whims of pleasure seekers. The millions of needlesss deaths each year are but one among many forms of injustice, all of which provoke Jehovah's anger. He has appointed his Son to wage a just war against this entire wicked system of things to end all injustice permanently.-Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-15.
However, Jehovah's justice calls for more than merely the destruction of the wicked. He has also appointed his Son to rule as the "Prince of Peace." After the war of Armageddon, Jesus' reign will establish peace througout the earth, and he will rule "by means of justice." (Isaiah 9:6, 7) Jesus will then delight in undoing all the injustices that have caused so much misery and suffering in the world. Throughout all eternity, he will faithfully uphold Jehvoah's perfect justice. It is vital,then, that we seek to imitate Jehovah's justice now. Let us see how we can do that.
Next time:"Exercise Justice" In Walking With God
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.09.2008
Coclusion of A Living Example Of Justice
Third, Jesus' sense of justice was profoundly merciful. He reached out to help sinners. (Matthew 9:11-13) He readily came to the aid of people who were powerless to protect themselves. For instance, Jesus did not join the religious leaders in promoting a distrust of all Gentiles. He mercifully helped and taught some of these, even though his primary mission was to the Jewish people. He agreed to perform a miraculous cure for a Roman army officer, saying: "With no one in Israel have I found so great a faith." -Matthew 8:5-13.
Similarly, Jesus did not support the prevailing views toward women. Instead, he courageously did what was just. Samaritan women were held to be as unclean as Gentiles. Yet, Jesus did not hesitate to preach to the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar. In fact, it was to this woman that Jesus first plainly identified himself as the promised Messiah. (John 4:6, 25, 26) The Pharisees said that women should not be taught God's Law, but Jesus spent much time and energy teaching women. (Luke 10:38-42) And whereas tradition held that women could not be trusted to give reliable testimony, Jesus dignified several womwn with the privilege of being the first to see him after his resurrection. He even told them to go tell his male disciples about this most important event! -Matthew 28:1-10.
Yes,Jesus made clear to the nations what justice is. In many cases, he did so at great personal risk. Jesus' example helps us to see that upholding true justice requires courage. Fittingly, he was called "the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah." (Revelation 5:5) Recall that the lion is a symbol of courageous justice. In the near future, though, Jesus will effect even greater justice. In the fullest sense, he will set "justice in the earth." -Isaiah 42:4.
Next time: The Messianic King "Sets Justice In The Earth"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
Similarly, Jesus did not support the prevailing views toward women. Instead, he courageously did what was just. Samaritan women were held to be as unclean as Gentiles. Yet, Jesus did not hesitate to preach to the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar. In fact, it was to this woman that Jesus first plainly identified himself as the promised Messiah. (John 4:6, 25, 26) The Pharisees said that women should not be taught God's Law, but Jesus spent much time and energy teaching women. (Luke 10:38-42) And whereas tradition held that women could not be trusted to give reliable testimony, Jesus dignified several womwn with the privilege of being the first to see him after his resurrection. He even told them to go tell his male disciples about this most important event! -Matthew 28:1-10.
Yes,Jesus made clear to the nations what justice is. In many cases, he did so at great personal risk. Jesus' example helps us to see that upholding true justice requires courage. Fittingly, he was called "the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah." (Revelation 5:5) Recall that the lion is a symbol of courageous justice. In the near future, though, Jesus will effect even greater justice. In the fullest sense, he will set "justice in the earth." -Isaiah 42:4.
Next time: The Messianic King "Sets Justice In The Earth"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.08.2008
A Living Example Of Justice
Jesus did more than teach about love. He lived "the law of the Christ." It was embodied in his life course. Consider three ways in which Jesus' example made clear what justice is.
First, Jesus scrupulously avoided committing any injustice. Perhaps you have noticed that many injustices come about when imperfect humans grow arrogant and overstep the proper bounds of their authority. Jesus did not do that. On one occasion, a man approached Jesus and said: "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus' response? "Man, who appointed me judge or apportioner over you persons?" (Luke 12:13, 14) Is that not remarkable? Jesus' intellect, his judgment and even his level of God-given authority exceeded that of anyone on earth; yet, he refused to involve himself in this matter, since he had not been granted the particular authority to do so. Jesus has always been modest in this way, even during the millenniums of his prehuman existence. (Jude 9) It says much for Jesus that he humbly trust Jehovah to determine what is just.
Second, Jesus displayed justice in the way he preached the good news of God's Kingdom. He showed no bias. Rather, he earnestly endeavored to reach all kinds of people, whether rich or poor. In contrast, the Pharisees dismissed poor, common people with the contemptuous term 'am-ha-'a'rets, or "people of the land." Jesus courageously set that injustice right. When he taught people the good news-or, for that matter, when he ate with people, fed them, cured them, or even resurrected them-he upheld the justice of God who wants to reach "all sorts of men. -1Timothy 2:4.
Next time: Conclusion of A Living Example Of Justice
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
First, Jesus scrupulously avoided committing any injustice. Perhaps you have noticed that many injustices come about when imperfect humans grow arrogant and overstep the proper bounds of their authority. Jesus did not do that. On one occasion, a man approached Jesus and said: "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus' response? "Man, who appointed me judge or apportioner over you persons?" (Luke 12:13, 14) Is that not remarkable? Jesus' intellect, his judgment and even his level of God-given authority exceeded that of anyone on earth; yet, he refused to involve himself in this matter, since he had not been granted the particular authority to do so. Jesus has always been modest in this way, even during the millenniums of his prehuman existence. (Jude 9) It says much for Jesus that he humbly trust Jehovah to determine what is just.
Second, Jesus displayed justice in the way he preached the good news of God's Kingdom. He showed no bias. Rather, he earnestly endeavored to reach all kinds of people, whether rich or poor. In contrast, the Pharisees dismissed poor, common people with the contemptuous term 'am-ha-'a'rets, or "people of the land." Jesus courageously set that injustice right. When he taught people the good news-or, for that matter, when he ate with people, fed them, cured them, or even resurrected them-he upheld the justice of God who wants to reach "all sorts of men. -1Timothy 2:4.
Next time: Conclusion of A Living Example Of Justice
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.07.2008
Conclusion of Jesus Clarifies "What Justice Is"
In such a climate, how was Jesus to help people understand what justice is? In his teachings and in the way he lived, he took a courageous stand against those religious leaders. Consider first some of his teachings. He directly condemned their myriad man-made rules, saying: "You make the word of God invalid by your tradition which you handed down." -Mark 7:13.
Jesus powerfully taught that the Pharisees were wrong about the Sabbath law-that, in fact, they had missed the whole point of that law. The Messiah, he explained, is "Lord of the Sabbath" and therefore entitled to cure people on the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:8) To stress the point, he openly performed miraculous cures on the Saabbath. (Luke 6:7-10) Such cures were a preview of the healing that he will perform earth wide during his Thousand Year Reign. That Millennium will itself be the ultimate Sabbath, when all faithful mankind will at last rest from centuries of laboring under the burdens of sin and death.
Jesus also made clear what justice is in that a new law, "the law of Christ," came into being after he completed his earthly ministry. (Galatians 6:2) Unlike its predecessor, the Mosaic Law, this new law largely depended, not upon a series of written commands, but upon principle. It did include some direct commands, though. One of these Jesus called "a new commandment." Jesus taught all his followers to love one another just as he had loved them. (John 13:34, 35) Yes, self-sacrificing love was to be the hallmark of all those who live by "the law of the Christ."
Next time: A Living Example Of Justice
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
Jesus powerfully taught that the Pharisees were wrong about the Sabbath law-that, in fact, they had missed the whole point of that law. The Messiah, he explained, is "Lord of the Sabbath" and therefore entitled to cure people on the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:8) To stress the point, he openly performed miraculous cures on the Saabbath. (Luke 6:7-10) Such cures were a preview of the healing that he will perform earth wide during his Thousand Year Reign. That Millennium will itself be the ultimate Sabbath, when all faithful mankind will at last rest from centuries of laboring under the burdens of sin and death.
Jesus also made clear what justice is in that a new law, "the law of Christ," came into being after he completed his earthly ministry. (Galatians 6:2) Unlike its predecessor, the Mosaic Law, this new law largely depended, not upon a series of written commands, but upon principle. It did include some direct commands, though. One of these Jesus called "a new commandment." Jesus taught all his followers to love one another just as he had loved them. (John 13:34, 35) Yes, self-sacrificing love was to be the hallmark of all those who live by "the law of the Christ."
Next time: A Living Example Of Justice
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.06.2008
Jesus Clarifies "What Is Justice
Jesus Loved Jehovah's Law and lived by it. But the religious leaders of his day twisted and misapplied that Law. Jesus said to them: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! . . .You have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness." (Matthew 23:23) Decidedly, those teachers of God's Law were not making clear "what justice is." Rather, they were obscuring divine justice. How so? Consider a few examples.
Jehovah directed his people to keep separate from the pagan nations surrounding them. (1 Kings 11:1, 2) However, some fanatic religous leaders encouraged the people to hold all non-Jews in contempt. The Mishnah even included this rule: "Cattle may not be left in the inns of the gentiles since they are suspected of bestiality." Such blanket prejudice against all non-Jews was unjust and quite contrary to the spirit of the Mosaic Law. (Leviticus 19:34) Other man-made rules demeaned womnen. The oral law said that a wife should walk behind, not beside, her husband. A man was warned against conversing with a woman in public, even his own wife. Like slaves, women were not allowed to offer testimony in court. There was even a formal prayer in which men thanked God that they were not women.
The religious leaders buried God's Law under a mass of man-made rules and regulations. The Sabbath law, for instance, simply forbade work on the Sabbath, setting that day aside for worship, a spiritual refreshment, and rest. But the Pharisees made a burden of that law. hey took it upon themselves to decide just what "work" meant. They labeled as work 39 different activities, such as reaping or hunting. these categories gave rise to endless questions. If a man killed a flea on the Sabbath,was he hunting? If he plucked a handfull of grain to eat as he walked along, was he reaping? If he healed someone who was ill, was he working? Such questions were addressed with rigid detailed rules.
Next time: Conclusion of Jesus Clarifies "What Is Justice"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
Jehovah directed his people to keep separate from the pagan nations surrounding them. (1 Kings 11:1, 2) However, some fanatic religous leaders encouraged the people to hold all non-Jews in contempt. The Mishnah even included this rule: "Cattle may not be left in the inns of the gentiles since they are suspected of bestiality." Such blanket prejudice against all non-Jews was unjust and quite contrary to the spirit of the Mosaic Law. (Leviticus 19:34) Other man-made rules demeaned womnen. The oral law said that a wife should walk behind, not beside, her husband. A man was warned against conversing with a woman in public, even his own wife. Like slaves, women were not allowed to offer testimony in court. There was even a formal prayer in which men thanked God that they were not women.
The religious leaders buried God's Law under a mass of man-made rules and regulations. The Sabbath law, for instance, simply forbade work on the Sabbath, setting that day aside for worship, a spiritual refreshment, and rest. But the Pharisees made a burden of that law. hey took it upon themselves to decide just what "work" meant. They labeled as work 39 different activities, such as reaping or hunting. these categories gave rise to endless questions. If a man killed a flea on the Sabbath,was he hunting? If he plucked a handfull of grain to eat as he walked along, was he reaping? If he healed someone who was ill, was he working? Such questions were addressed with rigid detailed rules.
Next time: Conclusion of Jesus Clarifies "What Is Justice"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.05.2008
"Like Father, Like Son"
Of course, the merchants returned. About three years later, Jesus addressed the same injustice, this time quoting Jehovah's words condemning those who made His house "a cave of robbers." (Matthew 21:13; Jeremiah 7:11) Yes, when Jesus saw the greedy exploitation of people and the defilement of God's temple, he felt just as his Father did. And no wonder! For countless millions of years, Jesus has been taught by his heavenly Father. As a result, he was imbued with Jehovah's sense of justice. He became a living illustration of the saying, "Like father, like Son." So if we want to obtain a clear picture of Jehovah's quality of justice, we can do no better than ponder the example of Jesus Christ. -John 14:9, 10.
Jehovah's only-begotten Son was present when Satan unjustly called Jehovah God a liar and questioned the righteousness of his rule. What slander! The Son also heard Satan's challenge that no one would serve Jehovah unselfishly out of love. These false charges surely pained the Son's righteous heart. How thrilled he must have been to learn that he would play the key role in setting the record straight! (2 Corinthias 1:20) How would he do that?
As we learned in Chapter 14, Jesus Christ gave the ultimate, conclusive answer to Satan's charge impugning the integrity of Jehovah's creatures. Jesus thereby laid the basis for the final vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty and the sanctification of His name. As Jehovah's Chief Agent, Jesus will establih divine justice throughout the universe. (Acts 5:31) His life course on earth likewise reflected divine justice. Jehovah said of him: "I will put my spirit upon him, and what justice is he will make clear to the nations." (Matthew 12:18) How did Jesus fulfill those words?
Next time: Jesus Clarifies "What Justice Is"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
Jehovah's only-begotten Son was present when Satan unjustly called Jehovah God a liar and questioned the righteousness of his rule. What slander! The Son also heard Satan's challenge that no one would serve Jehovah unselfishly out of love. These false charges surely pained the Son's righteous heart. How thrilled he must have been to learn that he would play the key role in setting the record straight! (2 Corinthias 1:20) How would he do that?
As we learned in Chapter 14, Jesus Christ gave the ultimate, conclusive answer to Satan's charge impugning the integrity of Jehovah's creatures. Jesus thereby laid the basis for the final vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty and the sanctification of His name. As Jehovah's Chief Agent, Jesus will establih divine justice throughout the universe. (Acts 5:31) His life course on earth likewise reflected divine justice. Jehovah said of him: "I will put my spirit upon him, and what justice is he will make clear to the nations." (Matthew 12:18) How did Jesus fulfill those words?
Next time: Jesus Clarifies "What Justice Is"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.04.2008
Jesus "Sets Justice In The Earth"
JESUS was visibly angry-and with good reason. You might find it difficult to imagine him that way, for he was such a mild-tempered man. (Matthew 21:5) He remained perfectly controlled, of course, for his was righteous wrath. But what had so provoked this peace-loving man? A case of gross injustice.
The temple in Jerusalem was dear to Jesus' heart. In all the world, it was the only sacred place dedicated to the worship of his heavenly Father. Jews from many lands traveled great distances to worship there. Even God-fearing Gentiles came, entering the temple courtyard set aside for their use. But early in his ministry, Jesus entered the temple area and met with an appalling sight. Why, the place was more like a market than a house of worship! It was crowded with merchants and money brokers. Where, though, was the injustice? For these men, God's temple was merely a place to exploit people-even rob them. How so? -John 2:14.
The religious leaders had ruled that only one specific type of coin could be used to pay the temple tax. Visitors had to exchange their money to acquire such coins. So money changers set up their tables right inside the temple, charging a fee for each transaction. The business of selling animals was also very profitable. Visitors who wanted to offer up sacrifices could buy from any merchant in the city, but the temple officials might well reject their offerings as unfit. However, offerings bought right there in the temple area were sure to be accepted. With the people thus at their mercy, the merchants at times charged exorbitant prices. This was worse than crass commercialism. It amounted to robbery!
Jesus could not tolerate such injustice. This was his own Father's house! He made a whip of ropes and drove the herds of cattle and sheep from the temple. Then he strode over to the money changers and overturned their tables. Imagine all those coins skittering across the market floor! He sternly ordered the men selling droves: "Take these things away from here!" (John 2:15, 16) No one, it seems, dared to oppose this courageous man.
Next time: "Like Father, Like Son"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
The temple in Jerusalem was dear to Jesus' heart. In all the world, it was the only sacred place dedicated to the worship of his heavenly Father. Jews from many lands traveled great distances to worship there. Even God-fearing Gentiles came, entering the temple courtyard set aside for their use. But early in his ministry, Jesus entered the temple area and met with an appalling sight. Why, the place was more like a market than a house of worship! It was crowded with merchants and money brokers. Where, though, was the injustice? For these men, God's temple was merely a place to exploit people-even rob them. How so? -John 2:14.
The religious leaders had ruled that only one specific type of coin could be used to pay the temple tax. Visitors had to exchange their money to acquire such coins. So money changers set up their tables right inside the temple, charging a fee for each transaction. The business of selling animals was also very profitable. Visitors who wanted to offer up sacrifices could buy from any merchant in the city, but the temple officials might well reject their offerings as unfit. However, offerings bought right there in the temple area were sure to be accepted. With the people thus at their mercy, the merchants at times charged exorbitant prices. This was worse than crass commercialism. It amounted to robbery!
Jesus could not tolerate such injustice. This was his own Father's house! He made a whip of ropes and drove the herds of cattle and sheep from the temple. Then he strode over to the money changers and overturned their tables. Imagine all those coins skittering across the market floor! He sternly ordered the men selling droves: "Take these things away from here!" (John 2:15, 16) No one, it seems, dared to oppose this courageous man.
Next time: "Like Father, Like Son"
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.03.2008
Benefits Of The Ransom
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul explains that God saw good through Christ to reconcile to Himself all other things by making peace through the blood Jesus shed on the torture stake. Paul also explains that this reconciliation involves two distinct groups of individuals, namely, "the things in the heavens" and "the things upon the earth." (Colossians 1:19, 20; Ephesians 1:10) That first group consists of 144,000 Christians who are given the hope of serving as heavenly priests and ruling as kings over the earth with Christ Jesus. (Revelation 5:9, 10; 7:4; 14:1-3) Through them, the benefits of the ransom will gradually be applied to obedient mankind over a period of a thousand years. -1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Revelation 20:6, 21:3, 4.
"The things upon the earth" are those individuals in line to enjoy perfect life in Paradise on earth. Revelation 7:9-17 describes them as "a great crowd" who will survive the coming "great tribulation." But they do not have to wait until then to enjoy the benefits of the ransom. They have already "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Because they exercise faith in the ransom, they are even now receiving spiritual benefits from that loving provision. They have been declared righteous as God's friends! (James 2:23) As a result of Jesus' sacrifice, they can "approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness." (Hebrews 4:14-16) When they err, they receive real forgiveness. (Ephesians 1:7) In spite of being imperfect, they enjoy a cleansed conscience. (Hebrews 9:9; 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21) Being reconciled to God is thus, not some hoped-for development, but a present reality! (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20) During the Millennium, they will gradually "be set free from enslavement to corruption" and will finally "have the glorious freedom of the children of God." -Romans 8:21.
"Thanks to God through "Jesus Christ" for the ransom! (Romans 7:25) It is simple in principle, yet profound enough to fill us with awe. (Romans 11:33) And by our meditating appreciatively on it, the ransom touches our hearts, drawing us ever closer to the God of justice. Like the psalmist, we have every reason to praise Jehovah as "a lover of righteousness and justice." -Psalm 33:5.
Jesus "Sets Justice In The Earth"
Draw Close To Jehovah,2002
"The things upon the earth" are those individuals in line to enjoy perfect life in Paradise on earth. Revelation 7:9-17 describes them as "a great crowd" who will survive the coming "great tribulation." But they do not have to wait until then to enjoy the benefits of the ransom. They have already "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Because they exercise faith in the ransom, they are even now receiving spiritual benefits from that loving provision. They have been declared righteous as God's friends! (James 2:23) As a result of Jesus' sacrifice, they can "approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness." (Hebrews 4:14-16) When they err, they receive real forgiveness. (Ephesians 1:7) In spite of being imperfect, they enjoy a cleansed conscience. (Hebrews 9:9; 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21) Being reconciled to God is thus, not some hoped-for development, but a present reality! (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20) During the Millennium, they will gradually "be set free from enslavement to corruption" and will finally "have the glorious freedom of the children of God." -Romans 8:21.
"Thanks to God through "Jesus Christ" for the ransom! (Romans 7:25) It is simple in principle, yet profound enough to fill us with awe. (Romans 11:33) And by our meditating appreciatively on it, the ransom touches our hearts, drawing us ever closer to the God of justice. Like the psalmist, we have every reason to praise Jehovah as "a lover of righteousness and justice." -Psalm 33:5.
Jesus "Sets Justice In The Earth"
Draw Close To Jehovah,2002
8.02.2008
Finishing His Redemptive Work
Jesus had yet to finish his redemptive work. On the third day after Jesus' death, Jehovah raised him from the dead. (Acts 3:15; 10:40) By this momentous act, Jehovah not only rewarded his Son for his faithful service but gave him the opportunity to finish his redemptive work as God's High Priest. (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) The apostle Paul explains: "When Christ came as a high priest . . ., he entered, no, not with the blood of goats and of young bulls, but with his own blood, once and for all time into the holy place and obtained an everlasting deliverance for us. For Christ entered, not into a holy place made with hands, which is the copy of reality, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the person of God for us." -Hebrews 9:11, 12, 24.
Christ could not take his literal blood into heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:50) Rather, he took what that blood symbolized: the legal value of his sacrificed perfect human life. Then, before the person of God, he made formal presentation of the value of that life as a ransom in exchange for sinful mankind. Did Jehovah accept that sacrifice? Yes, and this became evident at Pentecost 33 C.E., when the holy spirit was poured out upon about 120 disciples in Jerusalem. (Acts 2:1-4) Thrilling though that was, the ransom was then just beginning to provide marvelous benefits.
Next time: Benefits Of The Ransom
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
Christ could not take his literal blood into heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:50) Rather, he took what that blood symbolized: the legal value of his sacrificed perfect human life. Then, before the person of God, he made formal presentation of the value of that life as a ransom in exchange for sinful mankind. Did Jehovah accept that sacrifice? Yes, and this became evident at Pentecost 33 C.E., when the holy spirit was poured out upon about 120 disciples in Jerusalem. (Acts 2:1-4) Thrilling though that was, the ransom was then just beginning to provide marvelous benefits.
Next time: Benefits Of The Ransom
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
8.01.2008
Who Provides The Ransom?
Only Jehovah could provide "the Lamb . . . that takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) But God did not send just any angel to rescue mankind. Instead, he sent the One who could furnish the ultimate conclusive answer to Satan's charge against Jehovah's servants. Yes, Jehovah made the supreme sacrifice of sending his only-begotten Son, "the one he was specially fond of." (Proverbs 8:30) Willingly, God's Son "emptied himself" of his heavenly nature. (Philippians 2:7) Miraculously, Jehovah transferred the life and the personality pattern of his firstborn heavenly Son to the womb of a Jewish virgin named Mary. (Luke 1:27, 35) As a man, he would be called Jesus. But in a legal sense, he would be called the second Adam, for he corresponded perfectly to Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47) Jesus could thus offer himself up in sacrifice as a ransom for sinful mankind.
To whom would that ransom be paid? Psalm 49:7 specifically says that the ransom is paid "to God." But is not Jehovah who arrranges for the ransom in the first place? Yes, but this does not reduce the ransom to a pointless, mechanical exchange-like taking money out of the pocket and putting it into another. It must be appreciated that the ransom is, not a physical exchange, but a legal transaction. By providing for the payment of the ransom, even at enormous cost to himself, Jehovah affirmed his unwavering adherence to his own perfect justice. -Genesis 22:7, 8, 11-13; Hebrews 11:17; James 1:17.
In the spring of 33 C.E., Jesus Christ willingly submitted to an ordeal that led to the payment of the ransom . He allowed himself to be arrested on false charges, judged guilty and nailed to a stake of execution. Was it really necessary for Jesus to suffer so much? Yes, because the issue of the integrity of God's servants had to be settled. Significantly, God did not allow the infant Jesus to be killed by Herod. (Matthew 2:13-18) But when Jesus was an adult he was able to withstand the brunt of Satan's attacks with full comprehension of th issues. By remaining "loyal, guileless, undefiled, separated from the sinners" in spite of horrific treatment, Jesus proved with dramatic finality that Jehovah does have servants who remain faithful under trial. (Hebrews 7:26) No wonder, then, that at the moment before his death, Jesus cried out triumphantly: "It has been accomplished! -John 19:30.
Next time: Finishing His Redemptive Work
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
To whom would that ransom be paid? Psalm 49:7 specifically says that the ransom is paid "to God." But is not Jehovah who arrranges for the ransom in the first place? Yes, but this does not reduce the ransom to a pointless, mechanical exchange-like taking money out of the pocket and putting it into another. It must be appreciated that the ransom is, not a physical exchange, but a legal transaction. By providing for the payment of the ransom, even at enormous cost to himself, Jehovah affirmed his unwavering adherence to his own perfect justice. -Genesis 22:7, 8, 11-13; Hebrews 11:17; James 1:17.
In the spring of 33 C.E., Jesus Christ willingly submitted to an ordeal that led to the payment of the ransom . He allowed himself to be arrested on false charges, judged guilty and nailed to a stake of execution. Was it really necessary for Jesus to suffer so much? Yes, because the issue of the integrity of God's servants had to be settled. Significantly, God did not allow the infant Jesus to be killed by Herod. (Matthew 2:13-18) But when Jesus was an adult he was able to withstand the brunt of Satan's attacks with full comprehension of th issues. By remaining "loyal, guileless, undefiled, separated from the sinners" in spite of horrific treatment, Jesus proved with dramatic finality that Jehovah does have servants who remain faithful under trial. (Hebrews 7:26) No wonder, then, that at the moment before his death, Jesus cried out triumphantly: "It has been accomplished! -John 19:30.
Next time: Finishing His Redemptive Work
Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002
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