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

“HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE” 59
hates. Note, for example, this prophecy addressed to the
Messianic King: “You have loved righteousness and you
hate wickedness. That is why God, your God, has anointed
you with the oil of exultation more than your partners.”
(Psalm 45:7) Jesus’ “partners” were the other kings
in the family line of King David. More than any of them,
Jesus has cause for exultation, or intense joy, at his anointing.
Why? His reward is far greater than theirs, his kingship
infinitely more beneficial. He is rewarded because
his love of righteousness and hatred of wickedness moved
him to obey God in all things.
9 How did Jesus make his feelings regarding righteousness
and wickedness evident? For instance, when his followers
obeyed his direction in the preaching work and
were blessed as a result, how did Jesus react? He was overjoyed.
(Luke 10:1, 17, 21) And when the people of Jerusalem
repeatedly showed a disobedient spirit, rejecting his
loving efforts to help them, how did Jesus feel? He wept
because of that city’s rebellious course. (Luke 19:41, 42)
Jesus felt very deeply about conduct both good and bad.
10 Meditating on Jesus’ feelingshelpsustoexamineour
own motives for obeying Jehovah. Imperfect though we
are, we can cultivate a heartfelt love of good deeds and
an earnest hatred of wrong conduct. We need to pray to
Jehovah, asking him to help us to cultivate feelings that
are like his and like those of his Son. (Psalm 51:10) At the
same time, we need to avoid influences that will erode
such feelings. Careful choices of entertainment and associations
are essential. (Proverbs 13:20; Philippians 4:8) If
we cultivate Christlike motives, our obedience will not be
a mere formality. We will do what is right because we love
10. What feelings do we need to cultivate when it comes to righteous
deeds and wrong acts, and what will help us do so?