Who Was Jesus?

Question

There are many questions which come to mind when the name Jesus is mentioned. Some people say he was a prophet, others call him a god, while others say he was a very wise man. But whatever your idea is, one thing remains certain: he was not your ordinary man. So if there is something special about him, why all the confusion? Just who was Jesus anyway?


His Origins
Jesus lived about 2,000 years ago in ancient Palestine during the height of the Roman Empire. He was not conceived in the usual way, but was implanted in the womb of a young woman named Mary. God simply commanded "Be" and he was. In this sense, he was "a word" of God and a special sign for humanity. In fact, he was the last in a long line of religious guides sent to the Jewish people.


Mary, The Blessed
Mary was a righteous woman. Her mother dedicated her to God's service even before she was born. As a child, she lived a life marked by health and goodness which others pointed to in admiration. She was raised by the wise Zacharias who instilled in her a beautiful sense of faith in God. When she had become a young woman, Mary sought to purify herself further before her Lord. Knowing that the hustle of life in the towns was distracting, she withdrew from her people to a sanctuary in the East. There she could meditate in seclusion and peace. Suddenly, on a day that seemed no different from the rest, an angel of God visited her, disguised in the likeness of a human. Afraid of so strange a sight, Mary prayed for protection, but the strange being reassured her and declared that he was a messenger from the Lord to announce the glad-tidings of a faultless son. Mary, astounded, asked how this was possible seeing that no man ever touched her. But the angel replied, "Your Lord says, It is easy for Me …".

But when she felt the little child within her, she fled her sanctuary out of fear of what her family would do or say when they heard the news. Mary, however, was not to face hardship. When in her despair she cried out to God for oblivion, a voice soothed her and she found shade and a cool spring. Under a date-palm in the warmth of late summer, she made her dwelling and there bore the child unlike any other in human history.

Shortly thereafter, Mary returned to her community carrying the child who was to be called Messiah, Jesus, and son of Mary. When her people saw her with the baby in her arms they couldn't believe their eyes, let alone accept her word. They refused to believe when she told of an angel who came and told her she was chosen above all other women to carry this burden. They accused her of infidelity and implied that she ruined the family name. Mary, being overwhelmed, simply motioned towards the child meekly.



The Miracles
Now the child was the product of a miracle and consequently, miraculous things began to happen. In defense of his mother and of the truth, the infant Jesus spoke saying, "I am a servant of God. He has given me Scripture and has made me a Prophet. He has blessed me wherever I may be and has made prayer and charity my duty as long as I live. " This put the detractors to rest.

Throughout his youth, Jesus remained dutiful to his mother and developed quickly in intelligence, wisdom, and piety He dumfounded the learned and was greatly admired by those around him who appreciated his talents. He claimed to be a sign of God and a Messenger to the Israelites.

His people had strayed from tl1e spirit of truth and placed their trust in legalism, thereby burying their sense of mercy beneath dusty scrolls and rituals. Finally, when he came of age, Jesus began to travel and preach throughout the land of Palestine about a return to the truth of the old revelations and a rejection of all that man had added. In his task he was supported by the spirit of truth, the angel Gabriel.



The Gospel, His Message
He taught that love and mercy overcome hate and anger and that only a true and sincere faith in the Creator and obedience to His will can bring a person salvation in this life as well as in the next. To reinforce his message which was called "Injeel" (Good News) God granted him the performance of miracles. He healed the sick, enheartened the distressed and revived the dead. All these things he did with the permission of God, never taking credit for them himself.

He led a simple and pious life. Soon he attracted an inner-circle of devoted followers who listened to his teachings with fervor and humility. These disciples, among them Peter, Barnabas, and John helped him carry the message of Divine Love to the people. They helped him in his mission.



A Test of Wills
But no righteous man of God is without trial and tribulation. As the message of Jesus began to gain wider acceptance, a small clique of hypocrites and evil men began to plot against him. They were the priests and leaders of the Jews whose position and wealth depended upon their place as the sole interpreters of religion to the masses. They pursued him and his followers and eventually captured him. Though they abused him, he never renounced his faith in the one God. So in their anger they plotted to crucify him on a Roman cross. But Jesus slipped from their grip at the last moment, and all the while they thought they had succeeded. They were sure they killed him but God answered Jesus' prayer and saved him from their schemes. Confusion overtook the mob and they might have killed the man who betrayed Jesus instead. In any case, Jesus escaped from their grasp. Then God removed Jesus from this world into another dimension, to a place with Him, not to return until a later time.

With their teacher gone, the devoted followers of Jesus tried to maintain the purity and simplicity of his teachings. But they were, soon besieged and overtaken by a flood of Roman and Greek influences which eventually so buried and distorted the message of Jesus that only a little of its truth now remains. Strange doctrines of Jesus being a man-god, of God dying, of saint worship and of God being made up of different parts came into vogue and were accepted by many of those who took the name "Christians" centuries after Jesus.


Conclusion
The only records that have come down to us concerning Jesus are some sketchy biographical material, poorly researched and compiled, which can in no way be representative of the full and accurate Message of Jesus, the Son of Mary. The time of the final and incorruptible Message was not yet at hand. It would be left to the last prophet of God, Muhammad, to clarify the truth from man's additions and deletions.

Jesus taught the same eternal message taught by all the Messengers of God. From Adam, on through Noah, Abraham, Moses and ending with the mission of God's last Guidepost to humanity, Muhammad, whose coming was foretold by Jesus himself.

Every nation and every people, from the Aztecs to the Greeks, have received a Prophet or a Messenger from God. Jesus was the last of a series of Messengers sent to the Israelites, but they consistently strayed from the path of surrender to God. Each of the many Messengers spoke a different language and followed varied customs. Yet the core faith taught by each was the same: surrender your imperfect and fickle will to the perfect will of the Power that is greater than you. You will then find the peace and freedom that only the Creator of humanity can provide. Then you must do what is right and good to your fellow creatures. This way of life is called Islam (surrender to God and find peace).

Answer 1

Question:
What do Muslims believe about Jesus (peace be upon him)?

Answer:
Muslims respect and revere Jesus (peace be upon him) , and await his second coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God’s messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as `Jesus', but always adds the phrase "peace be upon him." The Qur’aan confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Qur’aan is entitled `Mary') in her time, and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation....

Visit here for full answer:
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=502&ln=eng&txt=jesus

A discription at Jesus:
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=10277&ln=eng&txt=jesus

It doesn't matter what religion you are, it's still always good to read about what other religions beliefs, especially the difference and similarities between Jesus.... For you to ask who wrote this and why should you take the Qur'aan and not the Bible, doesn't mean anything. The Bible has a lot of contradictions, and false statements, with porn stories, swear words, etc. For more information, please contact me.

Here are some stuff in the Bible
http://www.islamawareness.net/Christianity/inbible.html
More: http://www.evilbible.com/

Here are some questions for Jehovah Witnesses:
http://www.webshowplace.com/question/101quest.html

What do you mean, Jesus is God?
http://www.wcg.org/lit/jesus/isgod.htm

This is a very long and detailed topic to be spoken about.
Try searching for some lectures and videos on Christianity by Dawood Adib, and Ahmed Deedat. Two converts, two ex-christians, and watch and listen to their views.

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=14403&ln=eng&txt=jesus

Read the differences between Us Muslims (Islam) and Christianity
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=27093&ln=eng&txt=jesus

Refutation of the Church’s quoting the Qur’aan to prove that ‘Eesa is the “son of God”:
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=45470&ln=eng&txt=jesus

Are you confused about something?
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=10683&ln=eng&txt=jesus

Cruci-fiction (crucifixion) prehaps
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=12615&ln=eng&txt=jesus

God does not have a spirit:
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=50774&ln=eng&txt=jesus

The part about Prophet Muhammad being mentioned in the Bible, is 100% authentic, and non-refutable.

For more information on Islaam and Muslims, and any other issues please do contact me on [e-mail] and I wil be more than happy to talk.

And please not just ignore this. If you want to find out the truth then read it, or find out 'maybe' the misconceptions in Islaam, about Jesus and God. If not, read this and imagine it was you who asked the question:
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=4028&ln=eng

Thank you for your time and interest.

Answer 2

If you don't believe, it really isn't that hard. Seriously, we Christians are unfortunately brainwashed from the get go. You are born, parents take you to church, and before you can talk, walk, and comprehend you have heard 100 sermons about God and Jesus. Take a step back and look at it from someone else's eyes. There is no proof of God, sometimes the Bible tells stories that never happened, many times our fellow Christians are only Christians when they feel it is applicable, and Christians have a bad rep with stuffing it down people's throats. You can't prove to people that there is a God and Jesus more than a man from scripture. The scripture was written by man in the book that you need to realize is a bit of a stretch. Your faith keeps you believing and loving, but the people you are referring to have no faith. And I can't blame them. People will ask God to give them the numbers to win the lottery. Why? Do you have a job? Did you go to college? Whatever it is that you can't afford why can't you afford it? IS it because you made bad decisions in life? Maybe it is best if you can't afford it to show others that the path you took was not the right path. My personal beliefs are that God does not intervene. I refuse to believe he would allow war if he did. I also can't believe he would allow a quarter of a million people to be killed by a tsunami if he believed in stopping such things. It couldnt' have been all those people's time to go. Heaven and Hell, I think people have the wrong idea. How can I enjoy someone's company with no body? I can't hug them, can't see them, hear them, etc. So why do I want to go to Heaven? I think it is a state of mind that you are in when you die. The satisfaction of knowing that you lived a good life.

Answer 3

Jesus was a traveling carpenter and a very wise man when it came to common sense and people. He was a people person loved and revered by many because his main teaching was "to Love one another", something many Christians forget to do outside of their circle or friends/family. Jesus was not a racist, or bigot. He was very " liberal" for his time and a freedom fighting rebel in his own way. He denounced the bankers and shamed the wealthy. All things the religious right politicians are NOT.

Answer 4

Jesus was not just a man as Islam says...He is God, as a man. God's morality is such that He would not make man, without first being a man. God is able to divide Himself and remain ONE. So, God was in Heaven, and on earth at the same time? Yes. See, that's how you know you have the right God. Which God comes to our level, to the nitty gritty, and loves us.

Answer 5

First, your question _should_ read, "Who IS Jesus".
Your analysis of His life on earth is pretty much correct,up until you say that He predicted Muhammad. I would like to read that prediction if you would care to share it with me. Other than that, Jesus is God's only begotten son while Muhammad and the rest of us are God's sons and daughters, made and not begotten.
I would like to point out that neither the Holy Bible nor the Holy Quran is set forth as an accurate historical text, but rather as a spiritual guide for us.
You are correct, IMO, that Jesus is the last of a series of messengers which is why we were commanded to spread His story and path of salvation to all the nations of the world.
See Matthew 28:19,20
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Answer 6

Jesus IS God!

There is no WAS... He IS!

From: personal experience of his miraculous intervention, due to prayer and FAITH, many times, through NDEs... far too many times to count!

I'm the cat who's had more than nine lives, so I bear witness always now, since my life is in its autumn time, or, maybe even winter!

Trust and believe, without question, and you too will share His miracles and stay safe.

Answer 7

Jesus was one of about 30 Jewish men who claimed to be the messiah, at a time Israel was under Roman occupation.

Answer 8

Jesus was supposed to be the son of God. If that's the case don't that make Mary a ****, Jesus a bas***d, and poor Joseph had to put up with it. I have had this argument with many a holy man but not one could answer me I wonder why.

Answer 9

You seem to know a lot about it. I think you just have find out for yourself because everyone has a perspective or "vested" interest so to speak. Obviously Christians emphasise his importance, Muslims diminish somewhat, others see no significance at all. I wish I knew.

Answer 10

zzzzzz
Do you think that your HUGE copy/pastes are making people convert?
What you should be doing is protesting on the streets against nutters like these.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1880238,00.html

Abu Izzedine, also known as Omar Brooks and a prominent member, said: “I would never denounce the bombings, even if my own family was to suffer, because we always stand with the Muslims, regardless of the consequences.”