11/10/11

The Messenger

Mark 1:2 - As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

The role of 'The Messenger' is across many religions but plays an important role primarily in Judaism, Islam and Christianity. This title is a special title given to a very specific person with a special mission.

In Christianity it is John the Baptist who is given that title and in Islam the title is been given to Mohammed, but in Judaism due to their inability to understand scriptures (even though we share mostly the same scriptures) they do not have any specific Messenger and consider all Prophets with that title. Therefore I will discuss this topic between Islam and Christianity only.

People mistakenly compare differences with Mohammed with Jesus which they compare Islam with Christianity. If anyone studies the Quran one will realize even Mohammed could not put down the Name of Jesus.

Stated below are some 7 reasons:
1) In the Quran Jesus is said to be born without sin while Mohammed is born in sin.
2) Quran states when a child is born Satan comes and touches it, therefore the child cries. But Jesus was the only one who did not cry when born.
3) It also states Jesus as a just born child opened his mouth and spoke which no other man did.
4) Jesus in the Quran is given the titles as 'Word of God' and 'Creator' which no other Prophet is given, including Mohamed.
5) Jesus did miracles in the Quran like giving life which no other Prophet did.
6) Jesus' death and resurrection is stated even in the Quran. While in the case of Mohammed, he failed the test of a Prophet put to him by a Jewish woman when he ate a poisoned chicken leg piece.
7) On the Day of Judgment it is written in the Quran that every human in all creation, including all Prophets will stand before the Lord and confess their sins but Jesus will be silent, since there will be no sin in him even at that time.

What we see even in the Quran, Jesus is given the image of man in perfection, above all mankind, having power with God and having victory over sin.

Coming to the real comparison between John the Baptist and Mohammed as being 'The Messenger'.

We see John came to give the message of repentance and the message of hope. He came to warn the people about continuing their sinful ways. He asked them to repent and take refuge in God and have hope in the Lamb of God Jesus Christ Who will be the cause of our forgiveness of sins. John came to point out to Jesus Christ who is perfect in nature and has one having victory over sin and death. He pointed to us receiving the Holy Spirit and becoming sons of God.

The Quran on contrary, although showing Jesus as the perfect being, yet their Messenger does not point towards Him. Mohammed does warn people of their sinful ways but does not give a way out of their sinful lives. He gets people confused between getting victory over sin by repentance and doing good works but at the same time points out to the failure of man against temptation. He includes himself as being unable to have victory and being a failure.

So we see the difference between these two Messengers John the Baptist and Mohammed is their message, one takes us towards Light and other to darkness and confusion.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, there are many who come in your Name and You have warned us in your Word. You stated some come as angels of light but You have not sent them. Lord, You expose the evil in their words and bring the darkness to light. Lord, we pray the people open their eyes and by using the basic sense of understanding stop continuing in the deceit they are in. Help them repent and come to You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Mark 1:2-5
2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

John 1:6-15, 19-37
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)