After his resurrection, Jesus invited his downhearted apostles to attend a special meeting. (Matt. 28:10, 18) Jesus did not reprimand his apostles; nor did he use that meeting to question their motives or to deepen their feelings of guilt by referring to their momentary weakness of faith. Instead, Jesus reassured them of his and his Father’s love by entrusting them with a weighty assignment. (Matt. 28:18-20) They were so upbuilt, encouraged, and consoled that some time after that meeting, they were once again “teaching and declaring the good news.”—Acts 5:42. w10 10/15 4:14, 15
Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 13) Mark 14:12-16; Matthew 26:17-19 (Events after sunset: Nisan 14) Mark 14:17-72
Jesus performed miracles, not to flaunt his authority and power, but to demonstrate his compassion and love. “I want to,” he said to a leper who entreated him for a cure. (Mark 1:40, 41) Jesus will demonstrate that same compassion during his Millennial Reign—but on a global scale. Christ and his corulers will also continue the spiritual education program that Jesus began some 2,000 years ago. (Isa. 11:9) That divine education will no doubt include instruction on how to care for the earth and its countless creatures, as Adam was originally commissioned to do. By the end of the 1,000 years, God’s original purpose as stated at Genesis 1:28 will have been fulfilled, and the ransom sacrifice will have been fully applied. w10 12/15 3:11, 12
Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 12) Mark 14:1, 2, 10, 11; Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16
When on earth, Jesus displayed great love for his Father. He also demonstrated great love for people. (Matt. 22:35-40) Jesus was kind and considerate, not harsh or overbearing. “Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down,” he said, “and I will refresh you.” (Matt. 11:28-30) Sheep-like people of all ages, especially those who were downtrodden and oppressed, found great comfort in Jesus’ delightful personality and uplifting message. Consider how Jesus dealt with women. Throughout history, many men have treated women very badly. That was true of the religious leaders in ancient Israel. But Jesus treated women with respect. This is made evident in his dealings with a woman who had been sick for 12 years with a flow of blood.—Mark 5:25-34. w10 5/15 1:6-8
Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 11) Mark 11:20–12:27, 41-44
How comforting to know that Jesus is incorruptible, that righteousness and faithfulness are like a belt firmly girded about his loins! (Isa. 11:5) He demonstrated a hatred for greed, hypocrisy, and other evils, and he censured those who were callous toward others’ suffering. (Matt. 23:1-8, 25-28; Mark 3:5) Moreover, Jesus showed that he was not deceived by outward appearances, “for he himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:25) Jesus continues to demonstrate his love of righteousness and justice by overseeing the greatest preaching and teaching campaign in the history of the world. No man, no human government, and no wicked spirit can stop this work from being accomplished to God’s complete satisfaction.—Isa. 11:4. w10 12/15 3:13, 14
Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 10) Mark 11:12-19
How did Jesus come to possess the qualities he displayed during his life on earth? In his prehuman existence, he observed his heavenly Father for aeons of time and absorbed his ways. (Prov. 8:22, 23) In heaven, he had seen Jehovah’s loving way of exercising headship over all His creation and had made that way his own. (1 Cor. 11:3) Would Jesus have been able to do that had he not been submissive? It was a delight for him to be in subjection to his Father, and it was a pleasure for Jehovah to have such a Son. When on earth, Jesus reflected perfectly the marvelous qualities of his heavenly Father. What a privilege it is for us to be in subjection to Christ, God’s appointed Ruler of the heavenly Kingdom! w10 5/15 1:10
Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 9) Mark 11:1-11
