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During the mid 1920s, Germany had serious economic problems. To gain power, Hitler blamed Jews, intellectuals, and communists for the nation’s problems. By demonizing Jews, he justified sending 6 million to die in gas chambers. People greedy for power often demonize others to justify evil against them. The Pharisees did that to Jesus, hoping to destroy Him. In Matthew chapter 12, we find Jesus and His disciples walking through a grain field on the Sabbath. His hungry disciples broke off heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees saw them and pounced on Jesus. “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.” Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat … You would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ Jesus chided the Pharisees for using the Sabbath to control people instead of using it to worship God and do good for others. By demonizing Jesus, they hoped to discredit and destroy Him. We must be very careful lest we demonize others for our own selfish benefit.
