Watchtower March 24 through March 30
[For the opening song before the Public Talk, select the song number announced, on the 'Sing Out Joyfully' Page or click here]
Watchtower Study Article 4 [Press play below to hear the MP3 Watchtower audio]
Song 18 Grateful for the Ransom. Based on Luke 22.20
1. Today, Jehovah God,
we stand before your throne,
For you showed the greatest love
that could ever be shown.
You gave the gift of your dear Son,
that we might live.
No greater sacrifice than this
could you ever give.
He gave his life to set us free.
His precious blood provides the key.
With all our hearts,
we’ll go on thanking you eternally.
2. It was a willing sacrifice
that Jesus made.
Out of love, his perfect life
was the price that he paid.
We had no hope until he came
to save mankind.
But now our hope is finding life,
leaving death behind.
He gave his life to set us free.
His precious blood provides the key.
With all our hearts,
we’ll go on thanking you eternally.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
What Does the Ransom Teach Us? (March 24 through 30)
“By this the love of God was revealed.” 1 John 4.9.
[Box] Focus.
What the ransom reveals about the appealing qualities of Jehovah God and of Jesus Christ. [End of box]
Question 1. How do we benefit from attending the annual Memorial of Christ’s death?
1. Surely you agree that the ransom is a priceless gift!
[Quotation] 2 Corinthians 9.15: Thanks be to God for his indescribable free gift. [End Quotation]
Because Jesus sacrificed his human life, you can have a close friendship with Jehovah God. You can also have the prospect of everlasting life. How fitting it is that we show gratitude for the ransom and for Jehovah, who was moved by love to provide it!
[Quotation] Romans 5.8: But God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [End Quotation]
To help us remain grateful and never take the ransom for granted, Jesus instituted the annual Memorial of his death.
[Quotation] Luke 22.19 and 20: Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body, which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” 20 Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf. [End Quotation]
Question 2. What will be discussed in this article?
2. This year, the Memorial will be observed on Saturday, April 12, 2025. No doubt all of us are planning to attend. We will benefit greatly if we take time during the Memorial season to meditate* [Footnote] Expression Explained: To “meditate” means to focus your thoughts on a subject and consider it more deeply. [End of footnote] on what Jehovah and his Son have done for us. In this article, we will discuss what the ransom teaches us about Jehovah and his Son. In the following article, we will be helped to understand how we can benefit from that ransom and how we can show our gratitude for it.
What the Ransom Teaches Us About Jehovah
Question 3. How could the death of one man lead to the redemption of millions of people? (See also picture)
3. The ransom teaches us about Jehovah’s justice.
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 32.4: The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; Righteous and upright is he. [End Quotation]
How so? Consider: From disobedient Adam, we inherited sin that leads to death.
[Quotation] Romans 5.12: That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned. [End Quotation]
To set us free from sin and death, Jehovah arranged for Jesus to provide the ransom. But how could the sacrifice of one perfect human redeem millions of people? The apostle Paul explains: “Just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one person [Jesus] many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5.19)
[Quotation] 1 Timothy 2.6: who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all, this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time. [End Quotation]
In other words, it took one disobedient perfect man to cause us to become enslaved to sin and death. Therefore, it took one obedient perfect man to set us free.
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. Adam; in the background, people carry a casket in a funeral procession. 2. Jesus Christ; behind him are people of various ages, races, cultures, and backgrounds. Caption: One man caused us to become enslaved to sin and death. Correspondingly, one man set us free
Question 4. Why did Jehovah not simply allow righthearted members of Adam’s offspring to live forever?
4. Did Jesus really have to die in order to save us? Couldn’t Jehovah have simply decided to allow righthearted members of Adam’s offspring to live forever? To imperfect humans, that would seem to be the kind and reasonable thing to do. But it does not take into account Jehovah’s perfect justice. Because Jehovah is just, he would never choose to ignore Adam’s glaring act of disobedience.
Question 5. Why can we be sure that Jehovah will always do what is right?
5. What, though, if Jehovah had not provided a ransom but had set justice aside by allowing Adam’s imperfect sons and daughters to live forever? People would likely wonder if God might disregard justice in other matters as well. For example, might he fail to keep some of his promises? We need not worry about such a possibility. The fact that Jehovah carried out justice even at great cost to himself, sacrificing his own dear Son, assures us that he will always do what is right.
Question 6. What is one way that the ransom reveals Jehovah’s love? (1 John 4.9 and 10)
6. While the ransom helps us to understand that Jehovah is just, it especially helps us to grasp the depth of his love.
[Quotation] John 3.16: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. [End Quotation]
(Read 1 John 4.9 and 10) The teaching of the ransom reveals that Jehovah wants us not only to have endless life but also to be part of his family. Consider: When Adam sinned, Jehovah expelled him from His family of worshippers. As a result, all of us have been born outside of God’s family. But on the basis of the ransom, Jehovah forgives our sins and will eventually bring into his family all mankind who exercise faith and who are obedient. Even now we can have a warm relationship with Jehovah and with our fellow worshippers. Truly, we are recipients of Jehovah’s tender love!
[Quotation] Romans 5.10 and 11: For if when we were enemies we became reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more we will be saved by his life, now that we have become reconciled. 11 Not only that, but we are also rejoicing in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] 1 John 4.9 and 10: By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him. 10 The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins. [End of Read scripture]
Question 7. How does Jesus’ suffering help us understand how much Jehovah loves us?
7. We can better understand how much Jehovah loves us if we consider what the ransom cost him. Satan claims that no servant of God will remain loyal to Him when it is hard to do so. To refute that charge, Jehovah allowed Jesus to suffer before he died.
[Quotation] Job 2.1 through 5: Afterward the day came when the sons of the true God entered to take their station before Jehovah, and Satan also entered among them to take his station before Jehovah. 2 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered Jehovah: “From roving about on the earth and from walking about in it.” 3 And Jehovah said to Satan: “Have you taken note of my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth. He is an upright man of integrity, fearing God and shunning what is bad. He is still holding firmly to his integrity, even though you try to incite me against him to destroy him for no reason.” 4 But Satan answered Jehovah: “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life. 5 But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike his bone and flesh, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 1 Peter 2.21: In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely. [End Quotation]
As Jehovah looked on, Jesus was mocked by religious opposers, whipped raw by soldiers, and nailed to a stake. Then Jehovah watched as his dear Son was left to suffer a painful death.
[Quotation] Matthew 27:28 through 31: And disrobing him, they draped him with a scarlet cloak, 29 and they braided a crown out of thorns and put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying: “Greetings, you King of the Jews!” 30 And they spat on him and took the reed and began hitting him on his head. 31 Finally, after they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak and put his outer garments on him and led him off to be nailed to the stake. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Matthew 27.39: And those passing by spoke abusively of him, shaking their heads [End Quotation]
Jehovah had the power to stop the process at any given point. For example, when opposers said: “Let [God] now rescue him if He wants him,” Jehovah could have done just that.
[Quotation] Matthew 27.42 and 43: “Others he saved; himself he cannot save! He is King of Israel; let him now come down off the torture stake, and we will believe in him. 43 He has put his trust in God; let Him now rescue him if He wants him, for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” [End Quotation]
However, if God had stepped in, no ransom would have been paid and we would have been left without hope. So Jehovah permitted his Son to endure suffering until he drew his last breath.
Question 8. Did Jehovah feel pain when he saw his Son suffer? Explain. (See also picture)
8. Let us not think that because God is almighty, he does not have feelings! We are made in his image, created with the ability to feel, so it stands to reason that Jehovah has feelings. The Bible describes him as feeling “hurt” and “grieved.”
[Quotation] Psalm 78.40 and 41: How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness And made him feel hurt in the desert! 41 Again and again they put God to the test, And they grieved the Holy One of Israel. [End Quotation]
Consider, too, the experience of Abraham and Isaac. You will recall that Abraham was commanded to offer up his only son in sacrifice.
[Quotation] Genesis 22.9 through 12: Finally they reached the place that the true God had indicated to him, and Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac hand and foot and put him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. 11 But Jehovah’s angel called to him from the heavens and said: “Abraham, Abraham!” to which he answered: “Here I am!” 12 Then he said: “Do not harm the boy, and do not do anything at all to him, for now I do know that you are God-fearing because you have not withheld your son, your only one, from me.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Hebrews 11.17 through 19: By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up Isaac, the man who had gladly received the promises attempted to offer up his only-begotten son, 18 although it had been said to him: “What will be called your offspring will be through Isaac.” 19 But he reasoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, and he did receive him from there in an illustrative way. [End Quotation]
We can only imagine the range of emotions Abraham felt as he prepared to end Isaac’s life with a quick stroke of a knife. How much more grieved Jehovah must have felt as he observed his Son being cruelly tortured to death by ungodly men! See on jw.org the video Imitate Their Faith. Abraham, Part 2. [Press play below for Video: Imitate Their Faith. Abraham, Part 2 (11:10)]
[Image Alt:] Jesus hanging from a torture stake. Caption: It pained Jehovah to watch his Son suffer
Question 9. What does Romans 8.32; 38 and 39 help you to understand about the depth of Jehovah’s love for you and your fellow worshippers?
9. The ransom teaches us that no one loves us as much as Jehovah does, not even our dearest relative or best friend. (Read Romans 8.32; 38 and 39) No doubt Jehovah loves us more than we love ourselves. Do you want to live forever? Not as much as Jehovah wants you to. Do you want to have your sins forgiven? Not as much as Jehovah wants to forgive them. All he asks is that we accept his gracious gift by exercising faith and being obedient. The ransom is truly a profound expression of God’s love. And in the new world, we will learn even more about Jehovah’s love.
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 3.11: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has even put eternity in their heart; yet mankind will never find out the work that the true God has made from start to finish. [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] Romans 8.32: Since he did not even spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, will he not also, along with him, kindly give us all other things? [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Romans 8.38 and 39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers 39 nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [End of Read scripture]
What the Ransom Teaches Us About Jesus
Two parts: Question 10a. What especially grieved Jesus about his execution?
Question 10b. In what ways did Jesus vindicate Jehovah’s name? (See also the box “Jesus’ Integrity Vindicated Jehovah’s Name.”)
10. Jesus cares deeply about his Father’s reputation.
[Quotation] John 14.31: But for the world to know that I love the Father, I am doing just as the Father has commanded me to do. Get up, let us go from here. [End Quotation]
Jesus was grieved that his being charged with blasphemy and sedition could bring reproach on his Father’s name. That is why he prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me.”
[Quotation] Matthew 26:39: And going a little way forward, he fell facedown, praying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” [End Quotation]
By keeping his integrity to Jehovah until death, Jesus ultimately vindicated the name of his Father.
[Box]
Jesus’ Integrity Vindicated Jehovah’s Name. By remaining faithful under test, Jesus refuted the Devil’s claim that humans would not remain loyal to God when under trial.
[Quotation] Job 2.4 and 5: But Satan answered Jehovah: “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life. 5 But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike his bone and flesh, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” [End Quotation]
Jesus also showed that Adam was to blame for his sin, not Jehovah. Jesus thus proved that perfect Adam could have been faithful if he had wanted to be and that there was nothing faulty in how Jehovah had created Adam. [End of box]
[Image Alt:] Jesus praying fervently in the garden of Gethsemane. Caption: Jesus’ sacrifice was an expression of love for his Father
Question 11. How did Jesus show deep love for people? (John 13.1)
11. The ransom also teaches us that Jesus cares deeply for people, especially for his disciples.
[Quotation] Proverbs 8.31: I rejoiced over his habitable earth, And I was especially fond of the sons of men. [End Quotation]
(Read John 13.1) For example, Jesus knew that some aspects of his earthly ministry would be very challenging, in particular his painful death. Yet, in carrying out his assignment on earth, he did not simply go through the motions. Instead, Jesus put his whole heart into preaching, teaching, and ministering to others. Even on the day of his death, Jesus took time to wash the feet of his apostles and give them many parting words of comfort and instruction.
[Quotation] John 13.12 through 15: When, now, he had washed their feet and had put his outer garments on, he again reclined at the table and said to them: “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are correct, for I am such. 14 Therefore, if I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also should wash the feet of one another. 15 For I set the pattern for you, that just as I did to you, you should also do. [End Quotation]
Then while he was on the stake, Jesus took a few moments to give hope to a dying criminal and to arrange for his own mother’s care.
[Quotation] Luke 23.42 and 43: Then he said: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your Kingdom.” 43 And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 19.26 and 27: So when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother: “Woman, see! Your son!” 27 Next he said to the disciple: “See! Your mother!” And from that hour on, the disciple took her into his own home. [End Quotation]
Thus Jesus’ deep love was expressed not only through his death but also through his entire life course on earth.
[Read scripture] John 13.1: Now because he knew before the festival of the Passover that his hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father, Jesus, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end. [End of Read scripture]
Question 12. In what sense is Jesus continuing to make sacrifices in our behalf?
12. While Christ died “once for all time,” he is still making sacrifices for us.
[Quotation] Romans 6.10: For the death that he died, he died with reference to sin once for all time, but the life that he lives, he lives with reference to God. [End Quotation]
How so? He continues to expend time and effort as he puts the ransom benefits to work in our behalf. Consider what he is busy doing. He serves as our King, High Priest, and head of the congregation.
[Quotation] 1 Corinthians 15.25: For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Ephesians 5.23: because a husband is head of his wife just as the Christ is head of the congregation, he being a savior of this body. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Hebrews 2.17: Consequently, he had to become like his “brothers” in all respects, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the people. [End Quotation]
He is in charge of the work of gathering the anointed and the great crowd, a task that will be completed before the great tribulation ends.*
[Quotation] Matthew 25.32: All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Mark 13.27: And then he will send out the angels and will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from earth’s extremity to heaven’s extremity. [End Quotation]
He also sees to it that his faithful servants are well-fed spiritually during these last days.
[Quotation] Matthew 24.45: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? [End Quotation]
And throughout his Millennial Reign, he will continue to serve our interests. Jehovah truly gave his Son for us!
[Footnote] The gathering of “the things in the heavens” that Paul mentions, as recorded at Ephesians 1.10, is different from the gathering of the “chosen ones” that Jesus mentions, as found at Matthew 24.31 and Mark 13.27.
[Quotation] Ephesians 1.10: for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, to gather all things together in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. Yes, in him [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Matthew 24.31: And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Mark 13.27: And then he will send out the angels and will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from earth’s extremity to heaven’s extremity. [End Quotation]
Paul is referring to the time when Jehovah chooses his spirit sons by anointing them with holy spirit. Jesus is referring to the time when the remaining anointed ones on earth are gathered to heaven during the great tribulation. [End of footnote]
Never Stop Learning
Question 13. How can meditation help you keep learning about the love that God and Christ have for us?
13. You can keep learning about the love that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus have for us if you continue to meditate on it. Perhaps during this year’s Memorial season, you can carefully read one or more of the Gospels. Do not try to cover too much material at one time. Instead, slow down and look for additional reasons why we should love Jehovah and Jesus. And by all means, share what you learn with others.
Question 14. In harmony with Psalm 119.97 and footnote, how can research help us keep learning about the ransom as well as other teachings? (See also picture)
14. If you have been in the truth for many years, you might wonder if it is possible to discover new insights on such familiar subjects as God’s justice, his love, and the ransom. The truth is that there is no end to what we can learn about these and other topics. So, what can you do? Take full advantage of the wealth of information that can be found in our publications. When you find a passage that you do not fully understand, do research. Then throughout the day, meditate on what you have discovered and what it tells you about Jehovah, his Son, and their love for you. Read Psalm 119.97 and footnote.
[Read scripture] Psalm 119.97: How I do love your law! I ponder over* [Footnote] Or, "study." [End of footnote] it all day long. [End of Read scripture]
[Image Alt:] An older brother using a tablet, a Bible, and a notebook to do personal Bible study. He is consulting the chart “The Final Week of Jesus’ Life on Earth (Part 2)” in Appendix B12-B of the New World Translation and chapter 129 of the book Jesus. The Way, the Truth, the Life. Caption: Even if we have been in the truth for many years, we can increase our appreciation for the ransom
Question 15. Why should we keep seeking Bible gems?
15. Do not be discouraged if you do not find something new or exciting every time you sit down to read or to do research. In a sense, you are like a person who pans for gold. Patiently, prospectors spend hours or days before finding even the smallest nugget of gold. Yet, they persist because every bit of gold is valuable to them. Of how much greater value is every gem of Bible truth!
[Quotation] Psalm 119.127: That is why I love your commandments More than gold, even fine gold. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Proverbs 8.10: Take my discipline instead of silver, And knowledge rather than the finest gold, [End Quotation]
So be patient and stick to your Bible reading schedule.
[Quotation] Psalm 1.2: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night. [End Quotation]
Question 16. How may we imitate Jehovah and Jesus?
16. As you study, look for ways to put what you learn into practice. For example, imitate Jehovah’s justice by treating others impartially. Imitate Jesus’ love for his Father and for others by being willing to suffer for Jehovah’s name and by expending yourself in behalf of your fellow Christians. Also, imitate Jesus by witnessing to others so that they too have the opportunity to accept Jehovah’s priceless gift.
Question 17. What will we consider in the next article?
17. The more we understand and appreciate the ransom, the more we will love Jehovah and his Son. In turn, they will respond with increased love for us.
[Quotation] John 14.21: Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. In turn, whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will clearly show myself to him.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] James 4.8: Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones. [End Quotation]
So let us use Jehovah’s provisions to keep learning about the ransom. The following article will consider some ways that we can benefit from the ransom and that we can respond appreciatively to Jehovah’s love.
[Box] What Does the Ransom Teach You About ...
Jehovah’s justice?
Jehovah’s love?
Jesus’ love? [End of box]
Song 107 The Divine Pattern of Love. Based on 1 John 4.19
1. The pattern of love, we learn from Jehovah
Shows the way, guides our way.
In all he has done, his dealings have shown us
How to display his loving way.
He gave us his Son, his dearest possession
To cover our sin, forgiving transgression.
What proof of his love, its greatest expression!
His way is love, Yes, God’s way is love.
2. When we walk his way, our love for each other
Will be true, warm and true,
Will move us to care for all of our brothers,
Old ones and new, not just a few.
True love for our God and love for our brother,
We can’t have the one and not have the other.
The faults of our friends, we readily cover,
Proving our love, Our brotherly love.
3. The pattern of love, the bond that unites us
Lets us be family.
Our Father above now warmly invites us.
“Come taste and see real unity.”
Come share in the love and joy that define us;
God’s spirit and Word, he gives to refine us.
Our brothers and friends are here to remind us,
God’s way is love. Jehovah is love.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
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