| Selection - Essays on the Bible, Vol. 1 |
| from The Sermon on the Mount I: The Beatitudes |
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
This passage is straightforward, and does not require any explanation. Those who are genuine and pure are already radiating the light of God from within them, and they exhibit the divine will in all their actions. No one experiences greater happiness than people whose minds are pure. As for those who are still striving to attain purity, their tireless efforts and devotion will most certainly enable them to reach this state, and they too will be able to exhibit the radiant light of God in all their actions, both in this earthly world and the worlds beyond.
At the end of this series Jesus says:
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus spoke these words, he must have vividly recalled the image of John the Baptist, who was beheaded by King Herod. John the Baptist was indeed persecuted for the sake of righteousness. And ultimately, Jesus himself sacrificed his physical being for righteousness’ sake when he died on the cross.
Undoubtedly, theirs is the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus and John the Baptist are not the only ones who have offered their lives for the sake of justice. All those who have given their lives for their country, or for humanity as a whole, will be received as citizens of heaven. However, this sacrifice must not be made out of reluctance or fear, as this will not lead to the kingdom of heaven. If one gives up one’s life, one must be willing to do so resolutely and wholeheartedly.
Of course, this is easier said than done, which is why religious paths have been established for people. It is important to offer one’s life with a prayerful mind that is in tune with the divine will. Through prayer, all fears and all attachments to past circumstances will be extinguished. This is what the practice of Fading away—May peace prevail on Earth is all about.
Considering the time when Jesus lived, we in the modern era—especially those of us living in Japan and other industrialized nations—are quite privileged and fortunate. In Jesus’ time, the people’s fate was always decided by the biased actions of the ruling class, and even the slightest criticism of those in power could land you in jail. In fact, this situation is not confined to the time of Jesus, and until very recently, it existed here in Japan.
While teaching the path that leads to God, Jesus was under constant physical threat, as were his disciples. The relationship between Jesus and his disciples was one of love and respect between teacher and disciple, and it also held the feeling of oneness shared by brothers. On many an occasion, they found themselves detested by the people, oppressed by the authorities, and persecuted by the followers of Judaism. Yet, the greater their oppression and persecution, the stronger the bonds of love amongst them became.
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