________________
226
THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
as to why he had transgressed their Law. He did not, however, argue the point with them, but simply referred to David's eating of the forbidden ghew bread, adding,
therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." His inference was that the Sabbath was meant for man, not man for the Sabbath. They were convicted, as it were, out of their own mouths, and, it is recorded, did not entertain any very amiable sentiments towards him. Who was this man to talk to the learned Doctors of Law of Israel in this fashion ? How dared he, a person of low birth and common origin think of arrogating to himself the right to correct the Custodians of Truth? Were not his sisters among them? Was he not the son of a carpenter ? The sin of Jesus appeared all the 'more unpardonable as they reflected on his social status. With people of that type who are blinded by their conceit and prejudices, the conclusion is always one, namely, the offender must be put to death. There is no penalty short of death suitable for a man who offends against the dignity of the whole body of the Doctors and Custodians of Law in this irreverent manner. Hence, the Pharisees sought to kill him if they got an opportunity. The attitude of Jesus, on the other hand, was very different. Having failed to gain sympathy from the learned classes, he put himself in the position of a fault-finder and seemed to delight in nonplussing them in argument. Most of the true philosophy of the Saviour remained unexplained by him, for while the publịcans and sinners were happy to believe him for the 'work's sake,' and cared not to know or understand the why and the wherefore of his system, the only
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org