Bethesda and the Sanhedrin
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a reformation as this world has never witnessed. But in order to
maintain their own power, these leaders determined to break down the
influence of Jesus. His arraignment before the Sanhedrin, and an open
condemnation of His teachings, would aid in effecting this; for the
people still had great reverence for their religious leaders. Whoever
dared to condemn the rabbinical requirements, or attempt to lighten
the burdens they had brought upon the people, was regarded as guilty,
not only of blasphemy, but of treason. On this ground the rabbis
hoped to excite suspicion of Christ. They represented Him as trying
to overthrow the established customs, thus causing division among
the people, and preparing the way for complete subjugation by the
Romans.
But the plans which these rabbis were working so zealously to
fulfill originated in another council than that of the Sanhedrin. After
Satan had failed to overcome Christ in the wilderness, he combined
his forces to oppose Him in His ministry, and if possible to thwart
His work. What he could not accomplish by direct, personal effort, he
determined to effect by strategy. No sooner had he withdrawn from the
conflict in the wilderness than in council with his confederate angels
he matured his plans for still further blinding the minds of the Jewish
people, that they might not recognize their Redeemer. He planned to
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work through his human agencies in the religious world, by imbuing
them with his own enmity against the champion of truth. He would
lead them to reject Christ and to make His life as bitter as possible,
hoping to discourage Him in His mission. And the leaders in Israel
became instruments of Satan in warring against the Saviour.
Jesus had come to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.” He
was not to lessen its dignity, but to exalt it. The scripture says, “He
shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the
earth.”
Isaiah 42:21, 4
. He had come to free the Sabbath from those
burdensome requirements that had made it a curse instead of a blessing.
For this reason He had chosen the Sabbath upon which to perform
the act of healing at Bethesda. He could have healed the sick man as
well on any other day of the week; or He might simply have cured
him, without bidding him bear away his bed. But this would not have
given Him the opportunity He desired. A wise purpose underlay every
act of Christ’s life on earth. Everything He did was important in itself
and in its teaching. Among the afflicted ones at the pool He selected