Ninevah: Do You Also Have the Truth, but Choose to Ignore It?

“The Greater Light, the Greater Responsibility”

Text: Matthew 12:39–42

In Matthew 12:39–42, Jesus rebukes the religious leaders of His day for their hardness of heart and rejection of Him. He then makes a startling statement: the people of Nineveh—pagans who repented at the preaching of Jonah—will rise in judgment and condemn this generation. Why? Because "something greater than Jonah is here."

This is not just a history lesson. It is a warning to all who have been blessed with light, truth, and revelation—especially the church. The more we know, the more accountable we are.

Nineveh and Its Repentance

The story of Nineveh in Jonah 3 is remarkable. A notoriously violent and wicked city hears a reluctant prophet preach a brief message of doom—and they repent.

• The people fasted.

• The king stepped down from his throne and humbled himself.

• Even the animals were covered in sackcloth as a symbol of contrition.

And what did they have?

• No Bible.

• No covenant.

• No sanctuary or priesthood.

• Only one foreign prophet—who didn't even want them saved!

And yet they responded to that dim light with soft hearts and sincere repentance.

Israel and Its Rejection

Contrast that with Jesus’ audience.

• They had the Scriptures.

• They had centuries of God’s dealings.

• They had the Temple and the sacrifices.

• They had prophets upon prophets.

• And now, standing before them, they had the Son of God Himself.

And still, they asked for a sign.
Jesus calls it what it is: a wicked and adulterous generation—not in ignorance like Nineveh, but in rebellion against clear truth.

What Makes Judgment More Severe?

According to Jesus, judgment is heavier when greater light is rejected.

• The people of Nineveh acted on very little truth.

• The people of Israel rejected the One who is the Truth.

And this is the lesson for the church today.
We are the people of the Book.
We know about the cross, the resurrection, and the soon return of Christ.
We’ve been entrusted with deep truths about salvation, judgment, and God’s character.
But if we become complacent, careless, or proud, and ignore the transforming power of that truth in our lives, then even Nineveh stands to judge us.

God’s Church and the Danger of Presumption

This warning hits home when we assume that because we belong to the "right church" or hold the "right doctrines," we are automatically safe.
Jesus is saying: It’s not knowledge, but response, that matters in the judgment.

• Has the truth changed us?

• Are we repentant?

• Are we humbled before God’s Word?

• Are we living out the gospel we preach?

If pagans like the Ninevites can humble themselves before God, how much more should we who carry His name?

Hope in Repentance, Not in Religion

Here’s the grace in Jesus’ words:
Judgment is not about how much you know, but how sincerely you repent.
Nineveh reminds us that God’s mercy always outweighs His wrath when people turn to Him with their whole hearts.
Even the most corrupt city can find grace when it humbles itself.

So can we.

The Call Today

Jesus’ words aren’t just about the Pharisees—they are for the church of every generation.
Let us not assume we are safe because of our heritage or our head knowledge.
Let us examine our hearts in the light of God’s truth.
Let us learn from Nineveh, that true repentance brings revival, and humility brings healing.

May the judgment not be easier for Nineveh than for us.
Instead, may we respond with soft hearts to the greater light we've been given—Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

God is still looking for a repentant people. Let’s not wait for judgment to wake us up. Let’s be that generation who receives Jesus, walks in the light, and reflects His love to the world—faithful, humble, and ready when He comes.

More: Lesson 13 - Images of the End

Get 3rd Quarter Lessons: EXODUS

Jonah, a Reluctant Prophet—A Sign of Judgment and Mercy

 Jonah, a Reluctant Prophet—A Sign of Judgment and Mercy

The story of Jonah is not just a tale of a runaway prophet and a big fish—it’s a story about the mercy of God, the resistance of the human heart, and the seriousness of judgment. It’s also one of the few Old Testament stories that Jesus directly references as a sign for His generation—and ours.

Jonah, the Reluctant Prophet

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and call the people to repentance. But Jonah ran in the opposite direction. Why?

• Fear and Hatred: Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a cruel and powerful enemy of Israel. Jonah feared the Ninevites, but more than that, he hated them. He didn’t want them to receive God’s mercy.

• God’s Character: In Jonah 4:2, after the people repent and God spares them, Jonah says, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love.” That was Jonah’s issue. He didn’t want God to show mercy to his enemies. He wanted justice—on his terms.

• Pride and Nationalism: Jonah couldn’t stomach the idea that God’s compassion might extend beyond Israel. His reluctance revealed a heart that didn’t align with God’s love for all people.

Yet, despite his resistance, God used Jonah mightily—through a storm, a fish, and ultimately a revival in Nineveh.

Jesus Refers to Jonah – Matthew 12:38–42

Fast forward to the time of Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees demand a sign. But Jesus responds in Matthew 12:39–40:

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

Jesus draws a direct parallel between Jonah and Himself:

• Three Days and Nights: Just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so would Jesus be in the heart of the earth—referring to His death, burial, and resurrection.

• Jonah as a Sign: Jonah was a living sign to Nineveh, even though his heart was reluctant. Jesus, however, was a willing Savior, sent with a greater message—and yet rejected by many.

Lessons About Judgment

Jesus says something powerful in verses 41–42:

“The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.”

“The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment… for she came… to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.”

What’s the point?

• Judgment Will Be Based on Response to the Truth: The Ninevites repented with far less revelation than the people in Jesus’ time. The Queen of Sheba sought wisdom from Solomon, but many in Jesus’ day ignored the wisdom and truth standing before them.

• Greater Light, Greater Responsibility: Jesus is greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon. He is the Word made flesh. And rejecting Him is more serious than rejecting any prophet or king.

• God Uses Even the Reluctant: Jonah didn’t want Nineveh to repent, but God’s mercy reached them anyway. Likewise, Jesus desires that none should perish. His message is one of mercy, but if rejected, it becomes a message of judgment.

God's Will Prevailed

Jonah ran from his calling, but God’s will still prevailed. Nineveh heard and repented. But Jesus warns that the people of His own time, with far more evidence and far more truth, would be judged more harshly if they refused to listen.

We too must examine our hearts. Are we ignoring the signs? Are we responding like Nineveh or resisting like the Pharisees? The "sign of Jonah" is more than a prophecy—it’s a call. A call to repent, to believe, and to receive the mercy of a God who is always ready to forgive. Let us not be found among those who refused to see the greatest sign of all—Jesus Himself.

More: Lesson 13 - Images of the End

Get 3rd Quarter Lessons: EXODUS

The Weightier Matters of the Law

 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 23:23-24; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Isaiah 58:13-14

In Matthew 23:23-24, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They meticulously tithe herbs like mint and dill but neglect the “weightier matters of the law”—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. He does not dismiss the importance of tithing but calls them to a deeper righteousness that reflects God's heart.

The Weightier Matters of the Law:
Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are at the core of God's law. While the Pharisees focused on outward obedience, they overlooked these essential principles. God’s commands are not mere rules but expressions of His character—loving, just, and merciful.

The Sabbath and God’s Concern for Justice:
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 links the Sabbath to deliverance. God commands Israel to rest, reminding them of their former slavery in Egypt. The Sabbath is not just about personal rest but about justice—ensuring that all, including servants and strangers, experience relief and dignity.

Isaiah 58:13-14 further clarifies the spirit of the Sabbath. It is not a day of self-seeking but a time to delight in the Lord, reflecting His justice and compassion. When we honor the Sabbath properly, we participate in God's work of setting the oppressed free and lifting burdens.

How does this Apply to Us?
True obedience to God’s law goes beyond rituals. Are we practicing justice in our daily lives? Are we showing mercy to the broken? Are we faithful to God's commands in both spirit and action? Honoring the Sabbath means more than resting—it means living in a way that promotes justice and extends God's deliverance to others.

Live as Jesus Taught
Jesus calls us to a faith that is not just outward but transformative. The weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—must shape how we live, love, and worship. Let us not major in the minors but seek to reflect God's heart in all we do.

Prayer:
Lord, help us to embrace Your law with justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Teach us to honor the Sabbath as a time of rest and restoration, not only for ourselves but for others. May we live as people who reflect Your love and righteousness in the world. Amen.

More: Lesson 13 Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

Next Quarter: Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy 

John 9:17-34 - The Pharisees question the blind man who was healed.

 

In John 9:17-34, the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders, interrogate the man who had been born blind after Jesus healed him. Here’s a summary of the key questions they asked and how the formerly blind man responded.

 "What do you say about him (Jesus), since he opened your eyes?" (v. 17)  The man replied, "He is a prophet."  

   This was a bold statement, acknowledging Jesus as someone sent by God, which contrasted with the leaders' skepticism.

 "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" (v. 19) The parents confirmed, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes."  

   Fearing the Jewish leaders, the parents avoided answering directly about Jesus, pointing the leaders back to their son.

"What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" (v. 26) The man grew frustrated with their persistent questioning and replied, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?"  

   This response is somewhat sarcastic and defensive, hinting that the man had grown tired of the leaders' refusal to believe in Jesus' miracle.

 The leaders accused Jesus of being a sinner, to which the man responded.

The man countered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."  

He simply testified to the miracle, regardless of the leaders’ theological claims.

The leaders became angry and said, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" (v. 34), and then they cast him out of the synagogue.  

This passage illustrates the tension between the religious leaders, who were skeptical and unwilling to accept Jesus, and the healed man, who was increasingly bold in affirming Jesus' role in his healing.

Are we Called to be Fruit Inspectors?

 

Someone sometime ago came up with some line that we are not to judge others, but we can be fruit inspectors. Whoever said it first, was 100% wrong.

What gives us the right to judge the "fruit" of others? First of all, we have no diea what they may or not may not be doing for the Lord. Since we do not spend every waking hour with them, how are we able to judge what they do?

We are not called to tell people what their ministry is. We are not called to tell people that we can do their ministry better. All of us, in our own ways, can have a ministry. We all are important.

Everyone should read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 12.

1 Corinthians 12:21-22 NIV

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

Our weakest members are part of the body. Their ministry is just as important as others.

The Pharisees would be quick to criticize the widow for giving 2 small coins. But Jesus praised her above all of them. She gave her all.

Would you have been a fruit inspector on that poor widow?

Are we in some contest, that we must boast about our fruit, and check to see if others are keeping up?

Who gives us the right to boast that our fruit is better? Or more important? And that someone else's is not enough... Think about that.

The Pharisees were the epitome of fruit inspectors. Look at what they accused Jesus of. Blasphemy, drinking, eating, breaking the Sabbath, havig a demon. They constantly criticized His miracles and compassion.

Is that what you are doing to others? 

Listen to what Jesus said to those expert fruit inspectors:

Matthew 23:27-28 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness."

We can be fruit inspectors. That is, fruit inspectors of ourselves. Inspect your own fruit and stop looking in other church member's baskets.

Why was Jesus persecuted for His action on the Sabbath? John 5:16–18

 

In John 5:16–18, Jesus was persecuted for healing a man on the Sabbath and for claiming equality with God. Here’s a breakdown of the passage:

John 5:16: "So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute Him."  

The Jewish leaders believed that healing was considered "work," which was prohibited on the Sabbath according to their interpretation of the law. By healing a man who had been disabled for 38 years (John 5:1–15), Jesus was seen as violating the Sabbath.

John 5:17 NIV: "In His defense, Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.’"  

Jesus responds by pointing out that God the Father never ceases to sustain the world, even on the Sabbath. By aligning His actions with God’s continuous work, Jesus implied that He shared in God's divine authority, which deeply troubled the Jewish leaders.

John 5:18: "For this reason they tried all the more to kill Him; not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."  

The Jewish leaders not only viewed Jesus as breaking the Sabbath law, but they also understood His claim to be the Son of God as a declaration of equality with God. This was considered blasphemy, which under Jewish law was punishable by death.

So, Jesus was persecuted for two key reasons:

1. Violating their interpretation of the Sabbath by performing work (healing).

2. Claiming to be equal with God, which they saw as blasphemy.

These actions and claims were central to the growing opposition from the religious leaders.

The Pharisees Attitude to Jesus Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

 In John 5:10–16, the religious leaders exhibit a remarkable hardness of heart in response to Jesus' healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda. Despite witnessing a miraculous healing, they are more concerned about the Sabbath regulations than the well-being of the man or the authority behind the miracle. Here are a few lessons we can take away from their response.

Legalism Over Compassion

The religious leaders prioritize their rigid interpretation of the law over compassion for a suffering person. Instead of rejoicing in the healing of the man who had been crippled for 38 years, they accuse him of breaking the Sabbath by carrying his mat. This shows how legalism can blind people to the deeper truths and purposes of God's law, which is intended to bring life and mercy.

We must be careful not to let religious rules or traditions overshadow the heart of God's commands—love, mercy, and justice. True obedience to God includes compassion and care for others.

Spiritual Blindness

The religious leaders are unable to see beyond the surface of the Sabbath law to recognize that Jesus, the one performing the miracle, is fulfilling God's will. Their focus on the law makes them spiritually blind to the reality of who Jesus is and the divine power at work in Him.

It’s possible to be so focused on religious practices that we miss the presence and work of God in our lives. Spiritual blindness can prevent us from recognizing the deeper truths of God's actions.

Hostility Toward Jesus' Authority

Instead of seeing the miracle as a sign of Jesus' divine authority, the religious leaders seek to persecute Him for breaking the Sabbath and making claims about His relationship with God. They are more concerned with maintaining their authority than humbling themselves before God’s work in Jesus.

Pride and a desire for control can cause people to reject God's authority when it challenges their own status or understanding. We should be humble and open to the ways God may work outside of our expectations.

The Danger of Hardening Our Hearts

Despite the clear evidence of a miracle, the religious leaders refuse to believe in Jesus or His message. Their hearts are hardened by their commitment to the letter of the law rather than its spirit. This hardness of heart is a dangerous spiritual condition, as it prevents repentance and openness to God.

A hardened heart can prevent us from experiencing God’s grace. We must remain open, teachable, and willing to accept the ways God works, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or traditions.

The hardness of heart exhibited by the religious leaders in John 5 teaches us the importance of compassion over legalism, openness to God's work, and humility in recognizing Jesus' authority. It serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual pride and blind adherence to rules at the expense of love and truth.

For more, go to: Sabbath School Themes in the Gospel of John

Pharisees Confronted Jesus: By What Authority? Mark 11:27-33

In Mark 11:27-33, the religious leaders, specifically the chief priests, scribes, and elders, challenged Jesus by questioning His authority. They asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority to do them?" This challenge arose after Jesus had cleansed the temple and was teaching there.

Jesus responded to their challenge with a question of His own. He asked them, "Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me." This put the religious leaders in a difficult position. If they said it was from heaven, they would have to explain why they did not believe John the Baptist. If they said it was from man, they feared the reaction of the people, who considered John to be a prophet.

Unable to answer without implicating themselves, the religious leaders responded, "We do not know." Jesus then said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." 

Through this exchange, Jesus effectively avoided their trap and exposed their unwillingness to acknowledge the truth.

More: Lesson 9 Jerusalem Controversies.

The Yeast of The Pharisees Mark 8:14-21

 

In Mark 8:14–21, the disciples had forgotten to bring bread with them on the boat, except for one loaf. Jesus used this situation to teach them an important lesson.

Passage Overview

Verses 14–16: The disciples realize they have only one loaf of bread and begin to worry about not having enough to eat. Jesus, aware of their concern, warns them to "watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." The disciples, misunderstanding, think He is talking about the lack of bread.

Verses 17–21: Jesus then questions the disciples, reminding them of the two recent miracles where He fed thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread (the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000). He asks them how many basketfuls of leftovers were collected after each miracle, and they answer correctly. Jesus ends by asking, "Do you still not understand?"

 What Had the Disciples Forgotten?

The disciples had forgotten about the miraculous provision of food that Jesus had already performed. Despite witnessing Jesus' power to provide abundantly from very little, they were still anxious about their immediate lack of bread.

 The Point Jesus Made

Jesus was emphasizing that they were missing the deeper meaning of His miracles and teachings. Their focus on physical needs, like bread, prevented them from understanding spiritual truths. Jesus wanted them to recognize that He was not just talking about physical bread but was warning them about the corrupting influence ("yeast") of the Pharisees and Herod, which represented unbelief, hypocrisy, and spiritual blindness.

Jesus pointed out their lack of understanding and urged them to move beyond concern for physical needs to grasp the spiritual realities He was teaching.

What are Some Relevant Truths Presented in Mark 7:1-13?

 

Mark 7:1-13 contains a passage where Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes about the traditions of the elders and the commandments of God. 

Relevant Truths Presented in Mark 7:1-13:

Critique of Hypocrisy:

   Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy. They focus on external rituals and traditions rather than the true essence of God's commandments. Jesus uses Isaiah's prophecy to highlight that their worship is superficial—honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him.

Traditions vs. Commandments:

   The passage contrasts human traditions with divine commandments. Jesus points out that the Pharisees have elevated their traditions to the level of God's commandments, even to the point of neglecting and invalidating God's actual commands.

Misuse of Religious Practices:

   Jesus gives an example of how traditions can be misused to evade responsibilities. The practice of declaring something as "Corban" (a gift dedicated to God) was being used to avoid supporting one's parents, directly violating the commandment to honor father and mother. This highlights how religious practices can be twisted to serve selfish purposes.

Inner Purity Over External Rituals:

   The emphasis is on inner purity and genuine obedience to God rather than mere external compliance with rituals. True worship and obedience come from the heart, aligning with God's commandments rather than merely following human traditions.

Authority of God's Word:

   Jesus reaffirms the authority of God's word over human traditions. The passage underscores the importance of adhering to the commandments of God and not allowing human traditions to supersede or nullify them.

Call to Genuine Faith:

   The passage calls believers to examine their faith and practices, ensuring that their devotion to God is sincere and not merely ritualistic. It encourages a faith that is deeply rooted in God's commandments and lived out authentically.

Mark 7:1-13 presents a strong message about the dangers of hypocrisy, the elevation of human traditions over divine commandments, and the importance of genuine, heart-felt obedience to God.

Did Jesus Declare All Foods Clean in Mark 7:14-15?

Did Jesus Declare All Foods Clean in Mark 7:14-15?

Here is the passage (NIV):

"14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” "

As Adventists, we must be very careful on this. We so much tout the 10 Commandments, and claim that other laws were nailed to the cross.

The odd thing here, is that Adventists and other denominations actually agree that laws were done away with at the cross. We just disagree on which ones and how many.

So where does pork fit in? It certainly is not part of the 10 Commandments, no more than circumcision is. Did Paul do away with circumcision?

Paul preached that Gentiles need not be circumcised. Never did he mention Jews. In reality, with all his preaching, he himself had to circumcise Timothy in order for him to be allowed in the temple and synagogues.

We tell people that circumcision was nailed to the cross, as that was a ceremonial law.

When we talk about pork, generally we tell people it is unclean and must not be eaten. We sometimes go overboard and call it a mortal sin and you will go to hell by eating bacon.

Other denominations point out exactly what Jesus said. It is a very dangerous game if we try and twist the words of Jesus.

We seem to have nailed all laws to the cross except the 10 Commandments and eating pork with other unclean foods. If we did that, as part of the Mosaic Law, we would be no better than the Pharisees, picking and choosing which part of the Mosaic Law was still in effect.

We like to emphasize the "unclean" part about pork. Again, we seem to ignore all other laws that called people and things unclean. A woman during her menstrual flow was declared unclean. We don't seem to follow that one, do we?

In fact, we follow none of the health, social, ceremonail, or agriculture laws, but we sure shout about pork!

Here is the reality that we must grasp. We cannot pick and choose what parts of the Mosaic Law to follow, as we will look foolish if we pick one and erase another. We need to rethink what following Jesus means.

Gentiles are not to become Jews. Paul made that clear with circumcision. He also made this statement:

1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV): “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

Smoking, drinking, circumcision, eating pork, etc., are nowhere in the 10 Commandments. What would Jesus do?

As Christians, we are supposed to keep our bodies as a temple. Smoking and drinking defiles our bodies. It is unhealthy. So is eating pork. Science has spoken loud and clear on this one. Eating pork is very bad for your health.

That's where we would take this. Keeping your bodies as fit as possible. The same people who scream about pork, also probably eat ice cream and other high fat foods.

Out potlucks are full with rich desserts. Are members of your congregation obese? Is the pastor obese? Do we really follow Jesus by keeping our bodies healthy? We cannot tell people to not eat pork and at the same time be gluttons for other things.

We also tell people to tithe, which predates the 10 Commandments like circumcision. We tell them to get baptized and share communion. None of that is the 10 Commandments either.

We imagine some who tell people to not eat pork are also telling people not to bring fish or any meat to the potluck.....and yet, Jesus and His disciples ate fish. And lamb.

Let's not be hypocritical in talking to other people about our health message. Our health message is based on keeping our bodies as clean and fit as possible for Jesus. 

Using any part of the Mosaic Law to do this while ignoring others, makes us as hypocritical as the Pharisees. Choose the right path!

How does Jesus counter the charge brought by the Pharisees over Breaking the Sabbath? (Mark 2:23-28)

 

In Mark 2:23–28, Jesus and his disciples are walking through grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples begin to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees see this and accuse them of doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus counters this charge with several points:

David's Example

Jesus refers to the incident in the time of Abiathar the high priest when David, in need and hunger, ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for priests to eat. This shows that human need can take precedence over ritual law (Mark 2:25-26).

Purpose of the Sabbath

Jesus declares that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This means that the Sabbath is meant to benefit people, not to impose unnecessary burdens on them.

Authority of the Son of Man

 Jesus concludes by asserting his authority over the Sabbath, saying, "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28). This emphasizes that He has the authority to interpret and apply Sabbath laws.

By using these points, Jesus highlights the importance of mercy, human need, and His own authority, challenging the Pharisees' strict and legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath laws.

Physical Vs. Spiritual When it Comes to Laws and Rules

The Undercover Adventist has been involved in various judgements brought on by fellow Adventists. Somehow, everything you do that could even have a hint of some past (ancient) pagan practice is bad. In fact, so bad, that one is doomed if one does not stop. Or, if you break a Sabbath rule, or other law in certain Old Testament books, you are a bad person. And bad people just are not following Jesus.  The problem with such judging, is that one is focusing only on the physical, not spiritual. Let's take a look at some glaring examples.

I dare say that many Adventists we've met here, would have been ones to judge Jesus gathering grain on The Sabbath. Think about that one. What have you seen a fellow member do, and think to yourself how they should not be doing such a thing. For every law and statute, there MUST be a spiritual aspect to it. If not, it is just physical. Physical only being mindless following with no purpose but to follow the rule. For this gathering grain example, the accusers were only looking at the physical aspect. They could probably give no real spiritual reason for not gathering grain. But what could be Jesus' spiritual reasons  FOR gathering grain? Well, they were hungry. Fasting is one thing, but Jesus apparently did not want His disciples fasting at this time. He wanted them alert and ready. Listening and learning from Him at this time. That's the spiritual aspect. Jesus was being Godly, even though on the surface it seemed as if He was breaking The Law. But He was not.

Another example was washing of the hands. The disciples did not wash their hands before certain accusers. They quickly chided Jesus for this. Again, they only focused on the physical act, not the spiritual. What did Jesus say? It is not what goes into a man that makes him unclean, but what comes out. Think about that the next time you tell someone not to eat pork. The pharisees were mindless followers of the law, thinking they were pure.

Of course we all remember Jesus healing on The Sabbath. Again, this was breaking The Law. But only the physical act, not the spiritual. Jesus pointed out that if one of their animals were in trouble, they would save it. How much more a man?

This brings up an interesting dilemma which the Undercover Adventist has brought up many times. What jobs are pure on The Sabbath? We look like fools when we excuse one but not another. Moreon that later. Watch for it!

If you see someone doing yoga, and you readily accuse them of practicing some pagan religion, how do you know? You are judging a physical act. If the person looks at you funny, rolls their eyes, you deserve it. The Undercover Adventist would submit that the majority of Christians doing yoga, are doing it for health reasons and would think you were a nut for accusing them of practicing some pagan religion.

You think not? You had better watch yourself by making accusations. Jewish leaders and people accused Jesus of doing just that! He was accused of being demonic when casting out demons! He was also accused and berated for being a drunkard, a glutton, a carouser with sinners, and a waster of money! I would imagine Jesus has good company among fellow believers. They are readily accused of doing physical acts that are wrong, without knowing what spiritual motive they might have!

You do not know what a person's heart is. You do not know what spiritual motive a person might have. If you mindlessly follow rules, and tell other people to follow rules, you are as mindless as the accusers of Jesus. Is that what you want to be?

Perhaps this is why Jesus told people not to judge.

Some say you should not eat out on Sabbath. We know of a person who always takes a certain relative out on that day. And they have explained why, undoubtedly many times. Let's just say there is a spiritual reason for it. If you were to see them doing this, you probably would accuse them of breaking The Sabbath. But spiritually, they have reasons to do what they do. You do not know a person's motive, nor do you walk in their shoes.

Keep that in mind when accusing someone of breaking Sabbath rules. In fact, if you sin on The Sabbath, you are breaking it. If you claim you go all day on Sabbath without sinning, you are a liar. And one should not lie on The Sabbath. So before claiming someone else is breaking some rule, look at the logs in your own eyes. We have plenty of logs in ours. How dare we confront someone on this matter and accuse them!

Don't get us wrong. There are polite, logical, and peaceful ways of having conversations to convict people on certain things. Blind accusations are not one of them.

The Undercover Adventist DOES quote Ellen G. White. And we will quote her now.

"Although priding themselves on their enlightenment, they are ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. They must have some means of quieting their consciences, and they seek that which is least spiritual and humiliating. What they desire is a method of forgetting God which shall pass as a method of remembering Him." (Taken from Great Controversy, p. 572)

Are you focusing on the physical and not the spiritual?