Days of Conflict
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instructed by a child. They claimed that it was their office to explain
the Scriptures, and that it was His place to accept their interpretation.
They were indignant that He should stand in opposition to their word.
They knew that no authority could be found in Scripture for their
traditions. They realized that in spiritual understanding Jesus was far
in advance of them. Yet they were angry because He did not obey
their dictates. Failing to convince Him, they sought Joseph and Mary,
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and set before them His course of noncompliance. Thus He suffered
rebuke and censure.
At a very early age, Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the
formation of His character, and not even respect and love for His
parents could turn Him from obedience to God’s word. “It is written”
was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs. But
the influence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one. Even in His
youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance.
His brothers, as the sons of Joseph were called, sided with the
rabbis. They insisted that the traditions must be heeded, as if they were
the requirements of God. They even regarded the precepts of men
more highly than the word of God, and they were greatly annoyed at
the clear penetration of Jesus in distinguishing between the false and
the true. His strict obedience to the law of God they condemned as
stubbornness. They were surprised at the knowledge and wisdom He
showed in answering the rabbis. They knew that He had not received
instruction from the wise men, yet they could not but see that He was
an instructor to them. They recognized that His education was of a
higher type than their own. But they did not discern that He had access
to the tree of life, a source of knowledge of which they were ignorant.
Christ was not exclusive, and He had given special offense to the
Pharisees by departing in this respect from their rigid rules. He found
the domain of religion fenced in by high walls of seclusion, as too
sacred a matter for everyday life. These walls of partition He overthrew.
In His contact with men He did not ask, What is your creed? To what
church do you belong? He exercised His helping power in behalf
of all who needed help. Instead of secluding Himself in a hermit’s
cell in order to show His heavenly character, He labored earnestly
for humanity. He inculcated the principle that Bible religion does
not consist in the mortification of the body. He taught that pure and
undefiled religion is not meant only for set times and special occasions.