Many of the sayings of Jesus lacked clarity. Various interpretations have been put upon them by scholars of distinction. No one is sure what was meant.

According to the gospels, Jesus was descended from David, but Jesus mystified his hearers on this descent, saying: "If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?"[1]

_Witnesses and Judge_

On the subject of witnesses there is great confusion. "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true."[2] "Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true."[3] "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."[4] "I and my Father are one."[5] "My Father is greater than I."[6]

This and the following instruction regarding judicial procedure are far from clear. Jesus acknowledged the principle of law requiring more than one witness but said that in his case the only other witness necessary was his Father, although he and his Father were one.

Jesus is supposed to be the judge of the world, but his statement of the case leaves the issue ambiguous. "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."[7] "I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true."[8] "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."[9] "For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."[10]

The quality of reasoning employed in these instances has naturally led to theological quibbling. If Jesus can argue in that fashion, so can his followers, at the expense of intellectual honesty.

_Cannibalism_

The Jews could not understand what Jesus meant when he said: "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life."[11]

_Religion Only for Children_

Nor are these sayings clear: "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."[12] "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of G.o.d as a little child, he shall not enter therein."[13]

This train of thought implies that education is of no importance where belief is concerned.

_Difficult or Easy?_

After enumerating the many hardships that must be endured by his followers, Jesus contradicted himself by saying, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."[14]

_Charity_

There are apparent contradictions in his instructions regarding charity: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."[15] "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."[16]

_The Scriptures Upheld_

Jesus reverenced the Hebrew Old Testament.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pa.s.s, one jot or one t.i.ttle shall in no wise pa.s.s from the law, till all be fulfilled."[17]

And yet Jesus was the reformer, overthrowing ancient customs, renouncing the old principle of a tooth for a tooth, improving upon the Mosaic law.

He was inconsistent.

_Illogical_

The logic of Jesus is often difficult to follow.

"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."[18]

Jesus admitted his obscurity: "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."[19]

That time has never come.

_Parables Deceptive_

Jesus explained his obscurity in this way: "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of G.o.d: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."[20]

"But unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."[21]

In other words, Jesus, who said he came to save the world, concealed his meaning for fear some of his hearers should be converted and their sins be forgiven--which is exactly what he sought to bring about.

Obscurity in a teacher is a great defect, especially when he glories in his ambiguity. If any Christians wish that Jesus had been more clear, then Jesus does not appear perfect to them, and they should admit his imperfections.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Matt. xxii, 41-45.

[2] John v, 31.

[3] John viii, 14.

[4] John viii, 17-18.

[5] John x, 30.

[6] John xiv, 28.

[7] John v, 22.

[8] John viii, 16.

[9] John xii, 47.

[10] John x, 39.

[11] John vi, 53-58.

[12] Matt. xi, 25.

[13] Mark x, 15.

[14] Matt. xi, 30.