Come Be My Follower - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

186
“COMEBEMYFOLLOWER”
everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the
kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of
my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to
me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not . . . perform many
powerful works in your name?’ And yet then I will confess
to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you
workers of lawlessness.”—Matthew 7:21-23.
11 Many today who call themselves Christians might
find those words puzzling. Why would Jesus direct
such strong words to people who have been performing
“many powerful works” in his name? The churches of
Christendom have sponsored charities, aided the poor,
built hospitals and schools, and performed many other
works. To see why they have earned Jesus’ anger, consider
an illustration.
12 A father and mother need to go on a trip. They cannot
take their children along, so they hire a babysitter. Their
instructions to her are simple: “Take care of our children.
Feed them, make sure they are clean, and keep them
from harm.” When the parents return, though, they are
shocked to see that their children are famished. They are
dirty, sickly, and miserable. They are crying for the babysitter’s
attention, but their cries go unheeded. Why? She
is up on a ladder, washing the windows. Furious, the parents
demand an explanation. The sitter replies: “Look at
all that I did! Aren’t the windows clean? I made repairs to
the house too, all for you!” Would the parents feel better?
Hardly! They never asked her to do those jobs; they
just wanted their children cared for. Her refusal to heed
their instructions would infuriate them.
11-13. Why might some be puzzled by the strong words Jesus directed
toward those performing “many powerful works” in his name, yet
why is he angry? Illustrate.