Humble Hero

Meaningless Requirements

The Jews had so perverted the law with meaningless requirements that they made it a yoke of slavery and made observing it an intolerable burden. A Jew was not allowed to kindle a fire nor even light a candle on the Sabbath. As a result, the people were dependent on the Gentiles for many services that their rulers told them they must not do for themselves. They thought salvation was restricted to the Jews, and that since others were already beyond hope, doing these forbidden things would not make matters worse for them. But God has given no commandments that cannot be obeyed by everyone. HH 87.6

In the temple, Jesus met the man who had been healed. He had come to bring a sin offering and also a thank offering for the great mercy he had received. Jesus made Himself known to him. The healed man was overjoyed to meet his Deliverer. Not knowing how they hated Jesus, he told the Pharisees that He was the One who had performed the cure. “For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.” HH 87.7

Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin to answer the charge of Sabbath breaking. If the Jews had been an independent nation, such a charge would have served their purpose to put Him to death. But their accusations against Christ would have no weight in a Roman court. They hoped, however, to accomplish other goals. Christ was gaining an influence greater than their own, and many who were not interested in the rantings of the rabbis were attracted to His teaching. He spoke of God not as an avenging judge, but as a tender Father. By His words and works of mercy, He was breaking the oppressive power of human commandments and was presenting the love of God. HH 88.1