Monday, April 16, 2007

The Story of Jesus: As Told By Sukyo Mahikari

To the majority of the world, Jesus Christ is considered the savior of our souls. He is the Prince of Peace, born of a virgin, holy, Son of God; who died on the cross to save all of mankind, whether aware or not, from their iniquities. This is who the Bible says Jesus was. The Bible is the well-documented history of the life and death of Jesus Christ and the creation of mankind. 39% of the world believes Christ is Lord…and others like Islam and Buddhism might not support that Christ was God in the flesh, but they still mention Christ in their doctrines and the Koran calls Jesus a great prophet.

Now I want to discuss who Sukyo Mahikari says Jesus was. Kotama Okada claimed that he, himself, not Jesus was the savior. So you can probably guess that SM opinion of who Jesus was strays significantly from the Bible and the Koran. According to Sukyo Mahikari, Jesus was man, a great prophet, but a man nontheless; born of a earthly mother and father. It’s doctrine also claims that Jesus was never crucified, rather his brother (depending on who you ask this might be a twin brother) died on the cross as a sacrifice so that Jesus might live. In fact, Jesus lived to be 106 years of age, got married, and is buried in Japan…where he remains to this day.

Quite a difference in the history of a very important man. Now I am going to tell you why Biblically Sukyo Mahikari’s doctrine doesn’t hold water. In order to do this Biblical support is necessary.

Jesus Before Pilate

Matthew 27:11-26

11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.

13Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?"

14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.

"Barabbas," they answered.

22"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!"

23"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

25All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

What was the point of that scripture? Well…basically my point is this…the Romans and the Jews hated Jesus so much that they would rather set a convicted murderer free, over Jesus; which means that Sukyo Mahikari’s whole idea that Jesus’ brother died as a sacrifice for him is nonsense. If those people would rather allow Barabbas to walk amongst them rather than set an innocent man free, I don’t think that they would allow Jesus’ brother to die in his place either.

The Pharisees really wanted Jesus dead because he was a threat to their position. As for those Sukyo Mahikari members who proclaim that Jesus’ brother was a twin…you’d be incorrect. The Bible did say that Jesus had siblings, but they were all born after him. Jesus was the oldest child of Mary and there are no documents anywhere that speak of a twin.