Jesus: Slave of God?
If Jesus is not God, then why does he of all the prophets return to earth? What makes Jesus distinct from the other prophets? As Jesus was admired and sinless, this would mean he did not lie as that is a sin. Jesus said in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one” and John 8:58 is another example. Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!" In Revelations 19:10 Jesus never rebukes people for worshiping Him. If Jesus were not God, He would have told people to not worship Him, just as the angel in Revelation had. Is this not evidence enough that Jesus is God in Flesh form?
Christian - If Jesus is not God, then why does he of all the prophets return to earth?
Actually, Islam teaches us the same thing - it is only Jesus (Peace be upon him), who is to return in the Last Days. When he comes back he will lead the true believers to victory over the disbelievers and their leader - the Evil one.
Keep in mind that although Jesus (Peace be upon him), is definitely coming back to earth - that does not make him God, or even a son of God. Lazarus was dead for a number of days according to the Bible, yet when Jesus brought him back to life by the permission of Almighty God, that did not make Lazarus become a god, did it?
Allah promised the children of Israel He would send the "Messiah" and he would lead the believers to a physical victory over the enemies of God. The word "Messiah" is a title given to a chosen king and it comes from the word "Mes-h" meaning to wipe, touch or anoint - the ceremony for installing the Jewish kings centered around the event of anointing the head of the new king with olive oil. Jesus is the promised "Messiah" according to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him).
Interestingly enough, we know when he does come he will be following the direction of prayer toward Makkah and not toward Jerusalem and he will not be bringing any new Law from Almighty God.
So, God promised to do something, and He is doing it.
Christian - What makes Jesus distinct from the other prophets?
The Quran tells Muslims not to make any distinction between the Prophets (Peace be upon them all). Jesus was chosen by Allah to do something. Moses split the water of the Red Sea - that did not make him a god or a son of a god. Elijah and Elisha did miracles as well as bringing the dead back to life - this did not make them gods or sons of gods. Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) split the full moon in half on a clear night so it appeared on opposite sides of a mountain at the same time, and water came out of his fingers for his followers to use in washing. He also predicted things that are still coming true even today. None of that qualifies him to be God or God's son, does it?
Christian - As Jesus was admired and sinless, this would mean he did not lie as that is a sin.
Muslims admire Jesus and his mother (Peace be upon them both) very much - so much so we even say "peace be upon them" all the time, but does that make them "gods"? Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), was also very admired - more so than any other person on earth. He was also known from the time of his childhood as the "spirit of truth" (As-Sadiq). That does not make him a god or a son of a god.
Christian - Jesus said in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one” and John 8:58 is another example.
The statement itself is a proof for you. If he was God, he would have said so. But this statement is very clear - he is likely saying he is in total accord and agreement with anything God says, which would be correct all the way around. Otherwise, he might have said, "I am the Father" or "I am God" - in either case that would have been ridiculous.
You did not mention the verse where they claim he said, "Whoever has seen me, has seen the father." This is really a strange thing for anyone to say, especially if they had read the Bible of today. It clearly tells us, "No one has seen God and lived." How would a preacher reconcile these two claims?
Christian - Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!"
Adam (Peace be upon him), was also before Abraham; so was Enoch, Seth; Cain, Abel and even Eve and many other men and women. So, are they all gods? Children of gods?
Why didn't he say, "Before ADAM was born, I am?" or "Before anyone was born, I am" or why not just say, "I am" and let it go? This is obviously another attempt of a translator trying to justify other claims popular at the time of the translation.
What did Jesus (Peace upon him), really say? Allah tells us in Quran a very beautiful saying from Jesus (Peace be upon him), would you like to know it?
Christian - In Revelations 19:10 Jesus never rebukes people for worshiping Him.
According to the Bible I have - Jesus (Peace be upon him), did rebuke people who worshipped him and told them, "Why do you call me good when there is none good but One in Heaven?" and also when he told the people to worship, "My God and your God and my Lord and your Lord" and then when he said many will come in his name and prophecy and cast out demons (etc. etc.) and when they approach him, he will say, "Get away from me, I never knew you"
Christian - If Jesus were not God, He would have told people to not worship Him, just as the angel in Revelation had.
Let's remember we are discussing things from a book that in all seriousness, could never be taken as a legal document as there are too many versions and too many different meanings. Some have 78 books (Orthodox) others have 73 books (Catholic) and the Protestants have only 66 books. Which one is right? And even the different translations of the Bible over the centuries do not have the same verses. Example is Mark, chapter 16. Where does it really end? Verse 9? or verse 11? or the version of King James with 22 verses? And the verses in King James are very important verses for snake charmers and other Satan worshipers claiming to be Christians. Read it and see.
Christian - Is this not evidence enough that Jesus is God in Flesh form?
No. It is evidence the Bible has been totally mistranslated and misrepresented to many Christians for many centuries. But the important thing to keep in mind is, people always hear what they want to hear and they see what they want to see. If anyone really wants to see the truth - they will and if anyone doesn't want the truth - there is no way you or I can help them. Simple as that.
Sheikh Yusuf Estes