Daily Text and Meditation
Friday, December 20
I have called you friends.—John 15:15.
Jesus trusted his disciples despite their failings. (John 15:16) When James and John asked Jesus for a special position in the Kingdom, Jesus did not question their motives for serving Jehovah or remove them as apostles. (Mark 10:35-40) Later, all of Jesus’ disciples abandoned him on the night he was arrested. (Matt. 26:56) Jesus, however, never lost faith in them. He was well-aware of their imperfections; yet, he “loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) The resurrected Jesus even assigned his 11 faithful apostles the weighty responsibility to take the lead in the disciple-making work and to care for his precious sheep. (Matt. 28:19, 20; John 21:15-17) His confidence in these imperfect men was not misplaced. All of them served faithfully until the end of their earthly course. Certainly, Jesus set a fine example in trusting imperfect humans. w22.09 6 ¶12
Meditation
Lesson:
Trust in Imperfection, Love in Action
What is the main point?
The main point of the text and its commentary is that despite their imperfections and failings, Jesus trusted and loved his disciples, demonstrating unconditional support and confidence in them as they carried out their responsibilities in the disciple-making work.
What is another example from the Bible that has to do with the text?
Another example from the Bible that relates to the text and its commentary is Peter's denial of Jesus. Despite Peter's three denials on the night of Jesus' arrest, Jesus later reinstated him and trusted him to shepherd his followers, showing that he valued Peter's potential for service.
What does this teach us about Jehovah?
This teaches us that Jehovah places value on our potential for growth and service, despite our imperfections. He is patient and loving, willing to trust us as we strive to fulfill our roles in the congregation and beyond.
What are the practical applications in the life of a Christian?
Practical applications in the life of a Jehovah's Witness may include showing patience and support to fellow congregation members who may falter, actively encouraging them to strive for improvement, and trusting in their abilities to contribute to the ministry even when they make mistakes. For example, a Witness might mentor a newer member, recognizing their potential despite initial struggles in public speaking.
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