________________
CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
171
one or the other of the two conclusions that either the father of Jesus is not the same being as Ishwara of Hindus, the Allah of Islam, and the Mazda Ahura of Zoroaster, or that the books of these diverse religions are pot really meant to be read as history. The fact is that the Gospels themselves make no secret of being written in a secret script, the meaning of which is required to be elucidated. The sayings of Jesus were imparted in parables that has to be explained to the disciples over and over again, and yet they understood not at times even then (see Mark ix. 31-32; Luke xviii. 32-34 ; Mark ix. 10). Jesus is even said to have opened the understanding of his disciples after his resurrection (Luke, xxiv. 45). so that they might understand the scrip. Irres.
The injunction against enlightening the profane is recorded in these memorable words in Matthew vii. 6 : avised "Olive uot that which is holy onto the dogs, weither cast ye
your pearls before gwiue, lest they trainple them under
their feet and tarn again and rend you.' Israel had already been told by Isaiah (vi-9): " Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye itdeed, but perceive not." Jesus conforms to and fully confirms this wiien he says :** Therefore speak I to them in parables : because they seeing
see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.......... For this plople's heart is waxed grose, and their ears are dull of leariog, and their eyes they have closed" (Matt. XII. 13 and 15).
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org