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

72
“COMEBEMYFOLLOWER”
15 Jesus, although the perfect Son of God, did not rely
on his own strength to endure. Instead, he turned to his
heavenly Father and prayed for help from above. The
apostle Paul wrote: “Christ offered up supplications and
also petitions to the One who was able to save him out of
death, with strong outcries and tears.” (Hebrews 5:7) Notice
that Jesus “offered up” not just petitions but also supplications.
The term “supplication” refers to an especially
heartfelt and earnest entreaty—yes, a begging for help.
The use of the plural “supplications” indicates that Jesus
implored Jehovah more than once. Indeed, in the garden
of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed repeatedly and fervently.—Matthew
26:36-44.
16 Jesus had complete confidence that Jehovah would
answer his supplications, for he knew that his Father
is the “Hearer of prayer.” (Psalm 65:2) During his prehuman
existence, the firstborn Son had seen how his
Father responds to the prayers of loyal worshippers.
For example, the Son was an eyewitness in the heavens
when Jehovah dispatched an angel to answer the heartfelt
prayer of the prophet Daniel—even before Daniel had
finished praying. (Daniel 9:20, 21) How, then, could the
Father fail to answer when his only-begotten Son poured
out his heart “with strong outcries and tears”? Jehovah
did respond to the entreaties of his Son and sent an angel
to strengthen him to bear up under the ordeal.—Luke
22:43.
17 To endure, we too must look heavenward—to the God
“who imparts power.” (Philippians 4:13) If the perfect
15, 16. (a) What shows that Jesus did not rely on his own strength
to endure? (b) What confidence did Jesus have in his Father, and
why?
17. To endure, why should we look heavenward, and how may we
do so?