Monday, May 30
Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus.
What sort of disposition did Jesus have? He was humble. Humility moved him to be self-sacrificing in his ministry. Preaching to others about the good news of God’s Kingdom was foremost in his mind. Jesus viewed God’s Word as the final authority. He diligently studied the Holy Scriptures so that he could quote them, defend them, and explain them. By being humble and zealous in our ministry and personal Bible study, we will be more Christlike in our thinking. Even in his exalted position, Jesus will humbly submit to his Father’s will, and so should we. How so? By giving our wholehearted support to the work that we have been instructed to do, that is, to “make disciples of people of all the nations.” Also, we want to “work what is good toward all,” doing good to our neighbor and to our brothers.
COMMENTARY
Jesus was humble. And he set the perfect example. However, there is one area where Jesus did not set an example for us. He never once apologized or said ‘I am sorry.’ The reason he never did is because he never had to. Although he offended many people by speaking the truth those who were offended were enemies of the truth.
Sadly, the Watchtower seems to be following Jesus’ course too. They never say ‘we are sorry’ either. Except it is a demonstration of a lack of humility on their part. Or can the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses boast that they have nothing over which to apologize? Surely that is not the case.
Just last year a Governing Body member sat before the Australian Royal Commission inquiry on child abuse and Geoffrey Jackson told the commission that the Governing Body might consider compensating child abuse victims if it is biblically justified. The reason Jackson said that is because the Commission brought to light that of over 1,000 crimes committed against children in Australia that were made known to the elders and the Watchtower not a single crime was reported to the police. Obviously that is evidence of a policy of non-reporting that can only come from the top down, from Bethel’s legal department.
But if the Governing Body is considering compensating victims, what would be the biblical basis for doing so? Since the Watchtower clearly had no interest in handing over to the police Jehovah’s Witnesses who committed crimes against the children of other Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Governing Body should compensate victims for their own laxity and callous disregard for the welfare of children. And if they are considering offering monetary compensation, why not also apologize to the victims? Or is that asking too much?
More than likely the leaders of the Watchtower will not compensate the victims of their wicked policies, not unless they are forced to by the superior authorities whom Jehovah has appointed to serve as civil ministers. And they most certainly will never apologize for anything. At least, they never have.
That is not the end of it though. God has the final say. And according to the prophetic book of Zephaniah the day of reckoning will bring about the complete removal of haughty men from the midst of God’s people. Never again will proud boasters dominate. Speaking to the present situation the 3rd chapter states: “Her princes within her are roaring lions. Her judges are wolves in the night; they do not leave even a bone to gnaw until morning. Her prophets are insolent, treacherous men. Her priests defile what is holy; they do violence to the law. Jehovah is righteous in her midst; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he makes known his judgments, as unfailing as the daylight. But the unrighteous one knows no shame.”
Surely the Governing Body know the law of Jehovah. For example, they are well aware of the legal principle embodied in the Mosaic law that required the owner of a bull that was known to gore to make sure the animal did not kill someone. And if it did the owner was guilty of murder.
Yet, Bethel’s princes have demanded that elders who know the identities of accused child molesters in their congregations must not notify the brothers and sisters or parents or legal authorities. In this they have done violence to the law. Now, though, without a hint of apology, the Governing Body says they might think about compensating victims. But it is too late.
Zephaniah continues: “On that day you will not be put to shame because of all your deeds with which you rebelled against me, for then I will remove the haughty boasters from among you; and you will never again be haughty in my holy mountain. I will allow a humble and lowly people to remain in your midst, and they will take refuge in the name of Jehovah.”