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 God 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 pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass 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 God: 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.