"Guard Your Witness"

Jesus only says “have you not read... (Scripture)?” when talking to the Pharisees and Sadducees.

When speaking to His disciples, He almost exclusively uses words like “hear” and “see” when referring to the Word of God.

This would not only make sense historically - since much of the non-clerical 1st Century world was illiterate – but also biologically, since hearing text spoken out loud can significantly increase retention and understanding.

But does that mean Jesus treated the Pharisees and Sadducees as "less than" when it came to witnessing the Gospel? Absolutely not!

Jesus loved all people the same and in fact, by primarily referencing the reading of His word with these clerics, He was simply tailoring His Gospel message more for those fortunate few who could read.

As He said through Paul in 1Corinthians 9:20...

"And to the Jews, I become as a Jew, that I may win the Jews. To those who are under the Law, as though I were under the Law, that I may win those who are under the Law."

In the end, Jesus' witness of the Gospel was always most important, and He creatively guarded and nurtured that witness above all else.

Above ALL else.

Go and do likewise.