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

“CONSIDER CLOSELY THE ONE WHO HAS ENDURED” 69
fastening him to the stake. (John 19:1, 16-18) Imagine
the searing pain that seized him as the stake was swung
upright and the weight of his body hung from the nails
and his torn back scraped against the stake. And he endured
this extreme physical suffering while bearing the
load described at the outset of this chapter.
9 As followers of Christ, what may we have to endure?
Jesus said: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him
. . . pick up his torture stake and continually follow me.”
(Matthew 16:24) The expression “torture stake” is here
used figuratively to represent suffering, shame, or even
death. Following Christ is not an easy course. Our Christian
standards make us different. This world hates us because
we are no part of it. (John 15:18-20; 1 Peter 4:4)
Nevertheless, we are willing to pick up our torture stake
—yes, we are prepared to suffer, even die, rather than give
up following our Exemplar.—2 Timothy 3:12.
10 During his ministry, Jesus faced other tests brought
on by the imperfections of those around him. Recall
that he was the “master worker,” whom Jehovah used
to create the earth and all life on it. (Proverbs 8:22-31)
So Jesus knew what Jehovah purposed for humankind;
they were to reflect His qualities and enjoy life in perfect
health. (Genesis 1:26-28) When on earth, Jesus saw the
tragic results of sin from a different perspective—he himself
was a man, able to experience human feelings and
emotions. How it must have pained him to see firsthand
how far humans had fallen from the original perfection
9. What is involved in picking up our “torture stake” and following
Jesus?
10-12. (a) Why did the imperfections of those around him pose a
test of endurance for Jesus? (b) What were some of the trialsome situations
that Jesus endured?