“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” Matthew 23:1–7
At Jesus’ time, there were two important groups among the Jews—Pharisees and Sadducees. The word Pharisee is derived from the Hebrew word, “Persahim” —(to separate) set apart. Just the meaning of the word Pharisee tells it all. They had a holier-than-thou attitude towards anyone who did not live according to their understanding of what it is to be righteous. They were the most conservative and the most superficial. Their principal theological centre was the Law of God. They were multiplying and encouraging any form of exterior worship and were claiming the execution of justice.
The Sadducees, followers of Sadoc, or Zadok, were the most liberal group, and the most influential at the political level. Their theological opinion incited them to live in the present moment without any worry about tomorrow and the hereafter. Diplomacy of compromises characterised this group.
There were a lot of points of conflict between the Pharisees and Sadducees such as class, (between the wealthy and the poor) as the Sadducees included mainly the priestly and aristocratic families. The most divisive conflict was specifically religious, involving different interpretations of the Torah and how to apply it to current Jewish life. The Sadducees recognized only the Written Torah and rejected doctrines such as the Oral Torah and the Resurrection of the Dead.
Although they were fighting one another, and were looking to influence the people for themselves, they had some things in common: SELFISHNESS and POWER HUNGER. These two religious groups represent the two extremes in human nature that are still present today.
They all worked for the conversion of souls but only to make them as twice children of hell than themselves. Christ said to them: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:15. What is the use of bringing souls into the church and making them as twice the children of hell as ourselves? Souls that we bring into the church are like children we beget to this world. They inherit our genes. They become like us because they tend to imitate us. God is not a grandfather. He is our Father. But likes attract likes. In the work of saving souls, we need to have the same spirit as the apostle Paul, who could boldly say: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
In this strange circumstance of “unity in division”, the Lord Jesus appeared with another spirit and motive totally different from these two groups: He did not seek to influence anyone to Him nor for what He could try to obtain from them, but He touched the hearts and people were coming freely to Him, for they knew that His
words were truth. Jesus did not over-emphasize either justice or mercy, but He revealed a perfect harmony between the two. Sometime, He forgave those that men condemned, and rebuked those that men had justified.
According to the Pharisees, Jesus was a liberal and anarchic. According to the Sadducees, He was too conservative for them to get any compromise from Him. In reality, He was the perfect illustration of harmony—the personified character of God. That is what drew people to Him. It was the harmony between righteousness and mercy, the covenant between grace and truth, the unity between the Law and grace that gave Him this influence. In Him “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10. “As He passed through the towns and cities He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy wherever He went.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 350. This enraged the Pharisees and Sadducees. They opposed Him and put traps along His way, to find something to destroy Him.
Now that they had a common enemy, “a deputation of Pharisees had been joined by representatives from the rich and lordly Sadducees, the party of the priests, the skeptics and aristocracy of the nation. The two sects had been at bitter enmity. The Sadducees courted the favor of the ruling power in order to maintain their own position and authority. The Pharisees, on the other hand, fostered the popular hatred against the Romans, longing for the time when they could throw off the yoke of the conqueror. But Pharisee and Sadducee now united against Christ. Like seeks like; and evil, wherever it exists, leagues with evil for the destruction of the good.” –Ibid., p. 405
The revelation of God’s character shows us truly which spirit animates both the conservatives and the liberals, both of whom are not led by the Spirit of Christ. So, we see that if we are righteous in our own eyes, zealous to defend our rights and impose our views, while being absent of true love, of which Christ is the model, we serve the same master, though apparently we may be different. When Christ shows Himself to all, the deep motives of each human heart become evident. Christ says by their fruits we shall know them (Matthew 7:20).
It is said that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but no one is entitled to their own set of facts. Therefore, there are three sides to the truth: yours, mine, and the Truth. A child of God will side with the truth for the Word of God is Truth.
“We believe it wrong to differ from others unless it be necessary to differ in order to be right.” –The Review and Herald, April 14, 1868. Everyone has the right to have an opinion or do things in a certain way; and everyone must respect that everyone is entitled to his own opinion. Conflicts should not be created because one is holding to his opinion, but when a clear “thus saith the Lord” is revealed to all, all must submit and give up their opinions. Many times what we call truth is nothing but our own opinion based on feelings rather than on principles. We are not to impose our rights or views to others even if we strongly believe them to be truth. The truth cannot be forced, otherwise it will cease to be unpopular. No one has the right to impose his opinion on anyone, but to speak the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. The truth always seeks to reach the heart and not break it. We must not seek to differ from others just for the sake of differing but we must differ when it is necessary in order to be right. “The way to dispel darkness is to admit light. The best way to deal with error is to present truth. It is the revelation of God’s love that makes manifest the deformity and sin of the heart centered in self.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 498
The Spirit of Prophecy prophesized that there will be two groups that will finally develop in the church in these last days: “But divisions will come in the church. Two parties will be developed. The wheat and tares grow up together for the harvest.
“The work will grow deeper and become more earnest to the very close of time. And all who are laborers together with God will contend most earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. They will not be turned from the present message, which is already lightening the earth with its glory. Nothing is worth contending for but the glory of God.” –Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 113–114. What are you contending for? Your opinion and views to be accepted by others, or the truth and the glory of God?
Only two kinds of spirit (in men as well as in women), will be manifested in these last days. But “As we near the judgment, all will manifest their true character, and it will be made plain to what company they belong.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 100. Time, trials, and circumstances will finally reveal the two kinds of people: those who love God more than self and their neighbour as themselves, and those who love only themselves, looking for a certain position among men. Those who have the Spirit of Christ will unite on the side of truth; while, on the other hand those who, from the bottom of their hearts, strongly oppose Righteousness will unite against Christ by opposing His faithful people.
“As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. . . . Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd’s voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. No one of the true believers will say: ‘I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas.’ The testimony of one and all will be: ‘I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him as my personal Saviour.’
“Thus will the truth be brought into practical life, and thus will be answered the prayer of Christ, uttered just before His humiliation and death: ‘That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.’ John 17:21. The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 400–401
Though the conservatives and liberals seem to be actually fighting one another, eventually the similarities among them will result in them uniting against the truth of God and His faithful people whose sincere hearts will draw them together presenting a united front to the enemy.
Which side are you on? Will you join Christ’s believers? Are you standing with the lost or are you uniting your efforts with those that are going forth to seek and save the lost bringing them to the feet of Jesus? Do you argue, wanting to know who is right and who is wrong, or are you putting forth an earnest effort to present a united front to the enemy?
We should ask ourselves these questions, because it is only when the love of Christ will overcome any negative sentiments that we may feel in our hearts towards our neighbours, that the world will be convinced that we love one another as Christ loved us. Then the whole earth will be enlightened by the glory of the Lord.
History and experience have shown us that conservatives and liberals have the same thing in common—self-righteousness and selfishness. We should not lose hope because there are those, though few, who live the life of Christ and bring light into the lives of all with whom they come into contact. Let us avoid all extremes. “Better come one step short of the mark than to go one step beyond it.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 20
Pharisees and Sadducees, or Jesus? Who shall we follow? My wish and prayer is that we follow Jesus, for in Him is life in abundance. It is only by His righteousness alone that we are accepted by God. More about Jesus we would know, more of His grace to others show; more of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for us. Amen! May God bless you!