We sin, suffer, and die because the first human couple, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God. a But our situation is not hopeless. Jehovah has provided a way for us to be delivered from the curse of sin and death by means of his Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that by his death, Jesus provided a ransom. A ransom is the price paid to release someone. The price Jesus paid was the value of his perfect human life. (Read Matthew 20:28.) When Jesus willingly surrendered his right to everlasting life on earth, he opened the way for us to regain all that Adam and Eve had lost. Jesus also revealed how much he and Jehovah love us. This lesson will help deepen your appreciation for Jesus’ death.

1. How can we benefit from Jesus’ death today?

Because we are sinners, we do many things that displease Jehovah. However, if we are truly sorry for our sins and ask Jehovah through Jesus Christ to forgive us and if we do our best not to repeat those mistakes, we can enjoy a close bond of friendship with God. (1 John 2:1) The Bible says: “Christ died once for all time for sins, a righteous person for unrighteous ones, in order to lead you to God.”​—1 Peter 3:18.

2. In the future, how can we benefit from Jesus’ death?

Jehovah sent Jesus to offer his perfect human life “so that everyone exercising faith in [Jesus] might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Thanks to what Jesus did, Jehovah will soon undo all the bad things caused by Adam’s disobedience. This means that if we exercise faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, we will have the opportunity to enjoy life forever on a paradise earth!​—Isaiah 65:21-23.

DIG DEEPER

3. Jesus’ death frees us from sin and death

1. Adam was a perfect man who disobeyed God and put humans on a path to sin and death

2. Jesus was a perfect man who obeyed God and put humans on a path to perfection and eternal life

4. Jesus’ death can benefit all people

5. The ransom is Jehovah’s gift to you

Jehovah’s friends view the ransom as a personal gift. For example, read Galatians 2:20, and then discuss this question:

• How did the apostle Paul indicate that he viewed the ransom as a personal gift?

When Adam sinned, he and all his descendants were condemned to death. But Jehovah sent his Son to die so that you can have the opportunity to enjoy everlasting life.

As you read the following verses, imagine how Jehovah must have felt while his Son suffered. Read John 19:1-7, 16-18, and then discuss this question:

• How do you feel about what Jehovah and Jesus did for you?

SUMMARY

Jesus’ death provides the basis for Jehovah to forgive our sins, and it gives us the opportunity to enjoy life forever.

Review

• Why did Jesus die?

• In what way was Jesus’ perfect human life a corresponding ransom?

• How can Jesus’ death benefit you?