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The Desire of Ages
trifling distinctions, and observances which God had not required, their
attention was turned away from the great principles of His law.
Christ and His disciples did not observe these ceremonial washings,
and the spies made this neglect the ground of their accusation. They
did not, however, make a direct attack on Christ, but came to Him with
criticism of His disciples. In the presence of the multitude they said,
“Why do Thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they
wash not their hands when they eat bread.”
Whenever the message of truth comes home to souls with special
power, Satan stirs up his agents to start a dispute over some minor ques-
tion. Thus he seeks to attract attention from the real issue. Whenever a
good work is begun, there are cavilers ready to enter into dispute over
forms or technicalities, to draw minds away from the living realities.
When it appears that God is about to work in a special manner for His
people, let them not be enticed into a controversy that will work only
ruin of souls. The questions that most concern us are, Do I believe
with saving faith on the Son of God? Is my life in harmony with the
divine law? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he
that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” “And hereby we do know
that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”
John 3:36
;
1 John
2:3
.
Jesus made no attempt to defend Himself or His disciples. He
made no reference to the charges against Him, but proceeded to show
the spirit that actuated these sticklers for human rites. He gave them an
example of what they were repeatedly doing, and had done just before
coming in search of Him. “Full well ye reject the commandment of
God,” He said, “that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses
said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or
mother, let him die the death: but ye say, If a man shall say to his
father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever
thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer
him no more to do aught for his father or his mother.” They set aside
the fifth commandment as of no consequence, but were very exact in
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carrying out the traditions of the elders. They taught the people that the
devotion of their property to the temple was a duty more sacred than
even the support of their parents; and that, however great the necessity,
it was sacrilege to impart to father or mother any part of what had
been thus consecrated. An undutiful child had only to pronounce the