I posted this one year ago today. In light of recent events, some may find it useful.
The Two Witness Rule and a Withered Hand
Perry Little I was most disturbed when I heard the response given to the reporter from the BBC that had the ambush interview with Ted Jaracz as he exited the convention stage. When asked if the organization protected pedophiles, he arrogantly said, "We cannot go beyond the things that are written in the scriptures". He was obviously referring to the carte blanc application of the two witness rule. In effect, he was saying, "Hey, if you have a problem with this policy then you need to take it up with God, Jesus, and the bible because that is where we got it from". I lost the last shred of respect I might have had for Jehovahs Witness leadership at that point. Surely, he must realize that there is more than one way to look at things and all alternate interpretations must be considered so as not to violate Christ's law of love. Surely, he must realize that Jesus set the precedent on applying scriptural rules and laws with reminders and illustrations. I have taken the liberty to meld three of the gospel accounts, narrate a bit, and to use different versions to create what I believe would have been without question Jesus response to Ted Jaracz viewpoint. You may simply replace the Sabbath issue with the two witness rule issue. Here are his own words after being observed gathering grain on the Sabbath and accused of breaking the Law. "Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone"? (NASB)
Imagine, all the crusty old Jewish guard gathered around him accusing him of defying God when he spoke the above. And, here is this barely 30 year old young whipper snapper exposing their false reasoning. The audacity of chastising the elderly scholars must have caused a few gasps.
Many perhaps thought, "Had he no respect for the elderly? Didnt he appreciate all that they had done in trying to keep their culture intact under Roman occupation of their God given land? Didnt he understand that while people of every other province who were victims of the Roman propaganda machine were being absorbed into Roman thinking and values, the old Jewish guardians were fighters for truth and righteous? Had he no respect for the Almighty Himself when He said at Ex. 19:5,
And now if you will strictly obey my voice.then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples."? (NWT conveniently adds the word: strictly) What did Jesus do at this point? Ever the master at getting attention, He simply walked away. Think how rude it must have appeared to abruptly leave the presence of these men in the middle of their questioning. But, Jesus wasnt finished with them yet. He was on a serious mission on this particular issue and would further play his hand for the maximum effect. He wanted to destroy their foolish destructive policies not in a wheat field. No, they had blamed their rigid application of scripture on God. They no doubt reasoned that if Jesus had a problem with their policy, he should take it up with God, not them. So, that is exactly what Jesus did. It was to Gods house that he immediately walked to after he spoke the above. It was there that he wanted to teach a vital lesson to these older men. these scholars and protectors of the people. It was there that he would take up their offer to test God and see who it was that had the correct understanding right inside the hallowed halls of their local synagogue. the house of God. Now, if you want to imagine what the scene was like friends, just think about the threads on this board when there are high profile disputes going on. The number of visits go through the roof and the ensuing discussions are followed closer than any other topic. People instinctively know that when well respected posters enter into a debate that a greater understanding will definitely emerge. They know that the unfounded reasoning, fluff talk and misdirection will all evaporate amid the scorching heat of discussion and examination. Readers know they will be empowered to form more intelligent decisions and opinions on matters that affect their quality of life. So, if that kind of pack mentality exists here, surely one can assume that when Jesus walked away from the Pharisees in the field and headed to the Synagogue, that everyone simply followed this young and apparently well educated challenger. Possibly, some even quickly departed to get others to check out the debate much the same way we fire off e-mails to our friends behind the scenes of a heated discussion. Some probably thought, "lets go see this young upstart get demolished at the hands of the scholars". Others may have said, "Hurry, come see. This man is saying things that I have felt for years". Knowing what human nature is like, it is safe to assume that the synagogue would have been packed with onlookers. It would have been stuffy, uncomfortable, and hot from the masses gathered there. The crowded room would have been filled with the believers, scoffers, the disbelievers, but mainly the undecided and the down-trodden who were afraid to speak for fear of looking stupid when rebuked by someone respected for there intelligence and position. The city magistrates and perhaps a few Roman guards may have been keeping an eye out if things got out of hand. Doubtless, they simply felt the debate should just stop because it disrupted the normal day to day functioning of the city. Perhaps, they couldnt wait to cancel the citizenship or at least arrest someone responsible for upsetting the status quo. Jesus and a few followers now enter the synagogue with the Pharasiees and general populace hot on their heels. Now, picture the man with the withered hand. See him there squeezing between people to get a first hand look at how this debate might improve his self-image in a legalistic and socially abusive culture? Look at the intense look of hope and determination on his face as he makes way; a look that has been so foreign to his face for many, many years. Notice how he has little trouble getting to the front because people dont want to touch his diseased hand and move out of his way. As he passes, many no doubt reason that he had sinned in some way to have received this condition; much the same way others have reasoned that child molestation is sometimes the fault of the child in our time. He kneeled down up front so as not to draw too much attention to himself and his affliction. Little did he know that he would receive far more than self-esteem and understanding. It would be he who would be the catalyst in solving the issue. It would be he who would bear the unmistakable stamp of divine approval from the winner of the debate. Shhhhhhh, a respected researcher of the law is about to address the young challenger. Lets listen in. ( NASB)" Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath"? , a Pharisee asked him loudly and in a self-righteous tone. He then grinned to his associates imagining that Jesus was in theological check-mate with any possible reply. Already beaten on the issue of picking a few grains for food on the Sabbath, he no doubt wanted to see just how far this young, entirely disrespectful young man would push the issue. Surely, he would just let it go and not continue to beat a dead horse so to speak. He had already made a valid point in the wheat field and gave some food for thought hadnt he? Surely he would not embarrass the older men even more or worse yet, risk arrest right? Wrong. This issue was arguably the single most important teaching that Jesus would give to the world and he knew it. He would not fail the victims of legalism. He would soon be their champion. T he man with the withered hand, having had secret medical treatments on previous Sabbaths, felt guilt and shame at the question. He cursed himself for not being stronger in enduring the pain until after the Sabbaths were over. He vowed to study the scriptures more and asked God for strength and forgiveness in a silent prayer on the spot. Ignoring the well respected scholar and turning his head toward the assembly of his brothers, Jesus looked at them. A deafening silence fell upon the crowded room. People in the back maneuvered their line of sight between heads to observe the facial expressions as well as the words that would soon follow from this man. Without a word, he held out his hand to the man with the withered hand that was kneeling down up front. It was clear from the direction of the gesture that Jesus meant to take hold of the withered hand. The man slowly extended his hand as best he could and when he could not lift it any further, Jesus stretched his out even more and helped him up. In a soft compassionate voice he said looking at the crowd, "I f you had just one sheep, and it fell into a well, would you work to rescue it that day? (pause for effect) Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a man than a sheep"? (LB) The pharisaical thinkers and scholars were a bit taken off guard and were gathering their thoughts for a rebuttal that would no doubt end in his arrest for apostasy and causing divisions. Before they could mount a verbal offensive, Jesus looked into the eyes of the old man, smiled, and simply said, "Stretch out your hand". (NASB) The man briefly stared at his disfigured hand. All the eyes of the Synagogue were transfixed on the previous object of their derision. As he slowly stretched his hand and arm out, he noticed he had more strength than before. In fact, a lot more. So much more, that as he fully extended his arm, he extended all of his fingers at the same time. Then, to his utter amazement, he was able to curl them into a fist.... the first fist he had made in decades. A deep fear fell upon many of those watching. Gasps were heard. Others were unimpressed. Feeling their authority usurped and filled with rage, the Pharisees stormed out of the room to conspire on how to get rid of him from that moment forward. After a few moments, things settled down. While still standing there in silence with the old man, Jesus finally answered the question put to him,
"So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath". (NASB) It defies comprehension how Ted Jaracz or anyone else for that matter can claim to follow Christ and stubbornly defend a policy like the two witness rule, the blood issue, or shunning. These policies reject the core of Christs message and defy common sense, modern ethics and biblical scholarship. They are terribly destructive and destroy families and lives both in quality and literally. They simply will not be allowed to continue. Just as the cold, heartless Pharisees silenced their opposers, the Watchtower has done the same countless times through shunning and legal maneuvering. They have created martyrs defending unscriptural, anti-christian policies and then shift the blame to God. Because of their hardheartedness, Ceasar was forced to take from the Pharisees both their place and their nation, the very thing they sought to secure. If the Watchtower, does not abandon their destructive policies, I have a feeling that the same fate will eventually inflict them. To anyone who thinks we should simply take up the issue with God, I kindly remind them that we dont need to. Jesus already did.