Jesus and the Pharisees
35
this life, were wealthy and influential; they were therefore eligible to
the office of high priest with the express stipulation that their infidel
views should not be made prominent. As the Pharisees were far more
numerous, the Sadducees were to concede to their doctrines outwardly
when holding any priestly office. But the very fact of their being
[47]
eligible to such office gave influence to their erratic views. Had the
Pharisees been pure in life they might have been able to enlighten the
Sadducees; but as it was they had little influence over them.
The teachings of Jesus were utterly refused by the Sadducees, as
he was animated by a spirit which they refused to acknowledge as
manifesting itself thus. They conceived of God as a Supreme Being,
exalted above man, and unapproachable by him. Having created
man, he left him to control his own life, and shape the events of
the world. The doctrine of Christ directly opposed the belief of the
Sadducees. The word and works of Christ testified to a divine power
which accomplishes miraculous results, of a future, eternal life exalted
above the finite life, of God as a Father to the children of men, watchful
of their true interests, and guarding them. He taught that God was a
rewarder of the righteous, and a punisher of the transgressor. He was
not an intangible spirit, but a living ruler of the universe. This gracious
Father was constantly working for the good of man, and mindful of
all that concerns him. The very hairs of his head are numbered. Not
even a sparrow falls to the ground without the notice of the Heavenly
Father, and man is more valuable than many sparrows. Jesus presented
before them their ignorance of the Scriptures in assigning to human
power that which could be wrought only through the power of the
Spirit of God. He declared that their confusion of faith and darkness
of mind resulted mainly from this cause, and that spiritual things must
be spiritually discerned.
[48]
All that blessed the life of man was given by his Heavenly Father.
He gave the bright sunshine to warm the earth. He sent the showers
which caused vegetation to flourish. Angels of God were continually
ministering to the children of men, keeping up the connection between
Heaven and earth, uniting finite man with the Infinite God. Yet, while
God had a care over the temporal interests of man, Jesus expressly
taught that he had much greater care for his eternal interests.
The Sadducees had arranged their questions so that they felt con-
fident of bringing Jesus into disree by answering them, if they were