Jesus’ Birth, Life, And Ascension

This article covers Jesus‘ Birth, Life, And Ascension in Islamic religious texts.

THE BIRTH OF HIS MOTHER, MARY

One of the latest prophets among Israelites was Prophet Zachary. His father was Berhiya, a descendant of Prophet Solomon. We don’t know much about Messenger Zachary’s birth and youth. He married to Fakur’s (or Fakud) daughter, Isya. He was the priest of The Holy House, but also a carpenter to earn his living. Fakur’s other daughter, Hanna, married to Imran bin Masan who was the son of a well-known family (3:33). Hanna is also mentioned in the Holy Book with her supplication and the acceptance of her supplication (3:37). These definitely show the importance of this family and this woman. There is no doubt that God was pleased with her and her family.

Both daughters of Fakur had been married for years but did not have any children. Imran’s wife, Hanna, was once sitting under a tree, and saw a bird nest on the tree. A mother bird was nursing her baby. Hanna was moved by this picture of love and compassion between the mother and her child. In excitement, she prayed asking for a child from God.

God fulfilled the wish of Hanna. After a while she became pregnant. She was happy and thankful to God (3:35). Not long after this, the father of the child passed away. She prayed to God again. ‘When she was delivered, she said:

“O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!” – And God knew best what she brought forth – “And nowise is the male like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected.’ (3:36)

This sincere praying was accepted by God, who knows what is in our hearts. The newborn baby, Mary, was protected by God. God tells us about this event in the Holy Book ‘Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty: to the care of Zachary was she assigned. Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said:

“O Mary! Whence (comes) this to you?” She said: from God: for God provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.’ (3:37)

Hanna took little Mary to the clergy of The Holy House. She told them about her vow. One of these people was her brother-in-law Zachary. She asked them to take Mary and educate her to be a servant of the house of God.

It was the first time that such an offer was made to The Holy House. A girl was being given to the place. They talked it over, and accepted her later. Little Mary was taken from her mother. But, who was going to take care of her?

The argument was going on and on, and no one was listening to another. Zachary’s situation was special and he reminded that to the others. “Mary’s aunt is my wife. Therefore you should leave her with me.” But this was not acceptable. The debate could not continue like this. No one was willing to let her stay with someone else. Then came another offer: Let God be the judge among us. Everybody took a pen. They all went to a riverbank. It has been said that this was the Jordan river. They were going to throw their pens into the river. Whomsoever had a pen, which didn’t sink, was going to be the caretaker of the child. They said:“O God, you be the judge among us. You decide on the best person to take care of Mary.”

They then threw their pens to the water one by one. Zachary’s pen did not sink but floated on the water when it was his turn. Thus, everybody accepted Zachary as her caretaker. He took Mary. Zachary found a wet-nurse for her. Mary stayed with her aunt for a while, later she was given a room, which is called mihrab in The Holy House, by Zachary. She lived and worshipped in that room.

Zachary was responsible for Mary’s care and was also a Messenger at the same time. He was finding food with Mary, whenever he visited her room. This food was special and was not of the kind that could be found easily.

Zachary was surprised every time he went into the room. He knew that nobody was entering that room but he. Mary was not leaving the room either. Then he asked Mary:

“O Mary. Where is this food coming from?”

She replied calmly:

“From God..”

There is no doubt that God gives food as much as He wants to anybody He pleases with. Zachary was very excited when he heard this.

Church Priestly Religious Spiritual

Church

THE BIRTH OF JOHN the BAPTIST

Zachary prayed to his Lord saying:

“O my Lord! Grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure; for Thou art He that heareth prayer!”(3:38).

Zachary knew that he could not possibly have a child since he was very old and his wife was barren. After leaving Mary, he went to a quiet place and did his supplication:

“O my Lord! Infirm indeed are my bones and the hair of my head doth glisten with gray: but never am I unblest O my Lord in my prayer to Thee! Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself. (One that) will (truly) represent me and represent the posterity of Jacob; and make him O my Lord! One with whom Thou art well-pleased!”(19:4-6).

This supplication was presented to The Lord with the deepest of sincerity.

“God doth give thee glad tidings of John the Baptist witnessing the truth of a Word from God and (besides) noble chaste and a Messenger of the (goodly) company of the righteous”(3:39).

“O Zachary! We give thee good news of a son: his name shall be John the Baptist: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before”(19:7).

After receiving these joyful tidings, Zachary said:

“O my Lord! How shall I have a son seeing I am very old and my wife is barren?” (3:40)

The answer through revelation was:

“‘Thus’ was the answer ‘doth God accomplish what He willeth.'” (3:40)

Another verse gives these details:

“So (it will be): thy Lord saith ‘That is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before when thou hadst been nothing!'”

“O my Lord! Give me a Sign.”

“‘Thy Sign’ was the answer ‘shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights although thou art not dumb.'”(8:10). “Thou shalt speak to no man for three days but with signals. Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord again and again and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning”(3:41).

One day, Zachary went out his temple. He wanted to tell something to his people. But he could not say anything, even a word. He was unable to articulate words. He understood that it was the time that God mentioned. He felt deepest thankfulness. He was going to be the father of one whom was praised by Him, and whose name was given by God Himself. Henceforth, his duty was to praise and glorify Him. He told his people by signs to celebrate God’s praises in the morning and in the evening (19:11).

After three quiet and full of praise days passed, he was able to speak. People were puzzled:

“O Zachary! What happened to you? Could you tell us why you were speaking with signals for three days?”

Zachary told them about his prayer, good tidings of angels, and reason behind not being able to speak for three days.

John was born, and Zachary was full of appreciation for his beloved son.

It is related that John the Baptist was wise even when he was a child. One time one of his peers said, “let’s play!” He replied “We are created not for play.” Until Gospel was revealed he was busy learning and preaching Torah, and lived a very decent life.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

One day Mary received a revelation from God Almighty:

“O Mary! God hath chosen thee and purified thee; chosen thee above the women of all nations. O Mary! Worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down.”(3:42-43).

One day she left her family, and went to the east side of the Bethlehem. She started to pray after putting a curtain between her and people for privacy. However, she suddenly shivered. Because she saw a man, a very handsome man, standing in front of her. She didn’t know how he got inside. She said:

“I take refuge to All-Merciful God. If you are respectful to God, leave here, do not disturb me!”

The man intended not to go away immediately. However, God would not be consented of her being disturbed.

“Nay I am only a messenger from thy Lord (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.”(19:19)

He, Archangel Gabriel, continued: – “O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.”(3:45-46).

Mary understood, again by an inspiration from God, that he is an angle from Him. She did not ask for proof. She said:

“How shall I have a son seeing that no man has touched me and I am not unchaste?”

Archangel Gabriel – The Trustworthy- said:

“So (it will be): thy Lord saith ‘That is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us’: it is a matter (so) decreed.”

He continued:

“Even so: God createth what He willeth; when He hath decreed a plan He but saith to it `Be’ and it is! And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom the Law and the Gospel. And (appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel (with this message): I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I make for you out of clay as it were the figure of a bird and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God’s leave; and I heal those born blind and the lepers and I quicken the dead by God’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe. (I have come to you) to attest the Law which was before me and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear God and obey me. It is God who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a way that is straight.” (3:47-51).

“After saying all these he breathed into her (body) of Our spirit.”(66:12)

She conceived one of the five Greatest Messengers (The other four are Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad). His name was given by God Himself before he was born. Mary, as time passes, was concerned; she knew she couldn’t deliver in Bethlehem where might be people around.

So she retired with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: she cried (in her anguish): “Ah! Would that I had died before this! Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!” (19:23)

But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the palm-tree:

“Grieve not! For thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee; And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man say `I have vowed a fast to (God) Most Gracious and this day will I enter into no talk with any human being.”(19:24-26).

Dates Palm Tree Mediterranean Fruit Sweet Kitchen

Dates in Palm tree

She looked down, but saw nobody. But there was a sparklingly flowing little brook which was not there before. She extended her hand towards the brook, and held a dead date branch, and started shaking it. Suddenly fresh dates started to fall. There was not any dates, or even any leaves, on this branch before she shook it. She drank from that water and cleaned herself with it. She ate from the dates. The water and dates gave her strength. She was convinced wholeheartedly that the Lord of the Heavens and Earth would not abandon her. Once again, Almighty God had come to her call for help on this winter day, in such a difficult time.

Mary embraced her child and headed towards Jerusalem. People were bewildered seeing her with a child. The woman who is known for her chastity and purity until that day had come with a child in her arms. They asked:

“O Mary! Whose child is this?”

She pointed the baby with her finger implying that he belonged to her. They were shocked! This was not a case, which could easily be solved.

“At length she brought the (baby) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said ‘O Mary! Truly an amazing thing hast thou brought! O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a women unchaste!”(19:27-28).

They insisted:

“Speak to us O Mary! Tell us what happened?”

Mary, again, using signs, implied that she vowed to Almighty God that she would not speak for a while. This was the last straw that broke the back of the camel. They went crazy. Some of them even grabbed some stones, aiming to stone her to death without a delay. One of them, with an angry voice, said:

“O Mary! This is more important than your vow. Speak to us and answer our question. Whose child is this? With whom did you have this child?”

Mary pointed the child again. She was trying to say that the child would answer their question. They looked at each other with an angry face. Was she crazy or what? May be she was joking with them.

“But she pointed to the babe. They said: ‘How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?’ “(19:29).

Suddenly, they became frozen. The child was speaking! He uttered the following words:

“Verily God is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a way that is straight.”(19:36)

The men were puzzled. They had never seen or heard of such a thing before. But, now they were convinced that she was not trying to deceive them. They decided that no one should accuse her of anything anymore. This little baby had spoken with a fluent diction and told many truths in front of many!

“We will let you live as the way you wish, and pray like you used to do.”

they said. She was set free. Then, she resumed her former life style. Jesus lived like any other child from then on. He started speaking again at the normal speaking age for a child. It had not been very long since the baby spoke miraculously; the same mischief that had been spoken for Moses ever since he got out of Egypt was now being spoken for Zachary.

They accused him:

“You seduced Mary! You impregnated her!”

They attacked him to kill. Zachary kept saying to them that he did not. Yet, all efforts were in vain, they would not listen to him. Zachary was killed in their hands at the age of one hundred.

Mary went to Egypt after staying in the Holy House for a while. Then, Jesus and his immaculate mother Mary returned to Damascus from Egypt. They settled in a village called Nazareth. Jesus lived in this village up to the age of thirty.Jesus Preaching the Disciples

At the age of thirty, God Almighty sent the messenger Archangel Gabriel – The Trustworthy- to him. He was chosen as a Messenger. God commanded him to convey the Divine message. He was informed that he was bestowed with the glad tidings about which his mother was told by Archangel Gabriel before.

One day, Jesus attended an invitation by the Ruler of the land at the time. The invitation was attended by many people. Everyone set on the table. The food in the dish from which Jesus was eating was not lessening. The Ruler, who was sitting near him, noticed this. He asked:

“Who are you?”

He replied:

“Jesus, the son of Mary”

The Ruler gave up his throne and joined the apostles of Jesus. In another tradition, it was related that these apostles were the painter and his friends, who were mentioned above. In another tradition, it was related that these apostles were a group of hunter or dress cleaner/painter, working on a ship.

We know that there were twelve apostles of Jesus. When they become hungry or thirsty, they would say:

“O Spirit from God, we are hungry and thirsty”

Then, Jesus would slap on the ground, a couple loafs of bread for each man and the drinks would come out.

One day, they asked him:

“Are there more virtuous ones than us? You feed us and quench our thirst whenever we ask for!”

Considering the bounties they were given, they were thinking that they must have been the most honorable ones in the eye of God. Jesus said to them the following blessed words:

“Those who eat what they earn with their own hands are more virtuous than you.”

This influenced the apostles very much. They began washing clothes and eating what they earned this way.

In Jesus’ time medical sciences were very much favored and respected. That is why, the miracles given to him were related to medicine. As a miracle, he could revive the death. One of those who was revived was his friend Lazarus. When he was sick, his sister called Jesus to see her brother before he died. There was a three day distance between them. When Jesus arrived there, his friend had died three days before. Jesus went to his grave and called his friend. He returned to life. Later he even had a son. Jesus revived another woman and she later gave birth to a baby.

One day he was with his disciples. He was talking about the flood of Noah. They said:

“We wish that you revived one who died in the flood.”

He came to a hill and said:

“Here is the grave of Shem, Noah’s son.”

Then he prayed to God. Shem stood up. He said:

“Is this the day of judgment? Are we raised for that?”

Jesus answered:

“No, but I prayed to God and He gave you life.”

Then the disciples asked questions to Shem and he replied. When the questions and answers were over, Shem fell down dead. Some of those who saw this miracle came to believe in Jesus. Some said it was magic.

One day some Jews threatened him to revive Ezra or else they would burn him. Jesus prayed to God and He gave life to Ezra. Jews asked to Ezra:

“What do you think about this man?”

He answered: “I bear witness that he is a servant and messenger of God.”

Jesus’ reviving the death was not sufficient for the Jews. One day they gathered around Jesus and said:

We need other miracles than reviving the death!”

They meant to say ‘Don’t you know anything else but reviving the death?'”What do you want?”

he answered.

“Tell us what we ate and drank, and what we have in our homes for tomorrow?”

Jesus started telling each of them about what he ate and what was being prepared for the day after. None of them could say,

“You are wrong! I ate this, not that.”

Then Jesus blew on mud, which he shaped as a bird, and it became a bird and flew away before their eyes.

Then they asked him to make a bat. According to them, bats were the perfect birds among others. They thought Jesus would be impotent in doing that. He took a handful of mud from the ground, shaped it as a bat and puffed on it. It became a real bat and flew away before their eyes. Here, shaping the mud and puffing on it was Jesus’ duty and It was God who gave life to the mud.

One day God inspired the disciples of Jesus with faith in Him and His messenger (5:114).

God either inspired each of the 12 disciples separately or He inspired Jesus with this message and he announced it to them. The disciples replied to this message:

“We have faith, and you bear witness that we bow to God as Muslims (the one who submit to will of God).” (5:114)

One day Jesus was faced with an unexpected offer. The disciples said:

“O Jesus the son of Mary! Can your Lord send down to us a table set (with viands) from heaven?”

Jesus said:

“Fear God, if you have faith” (5:115).

Such offers were a sign of doubt. Doubt and faith can not coexist. But the most valuable people to Jesus were this group of twelve people, the disciples. If they have doubts and ask for miracles, the consequences could be terrible.

One of the disciples spoke for all: “We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and to know that you have indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle.”(5:116)

Then he completed his words: “or else it is not because we do not believe.

” Jesus raised his hands and prayed: “O God, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us – for the first and the last of us – a solemn festival and a sign from You; and provide for our sustenance, for You are the best Sustainer (of our needs)” (5:117).

Shortly after, he was inspired by God. He announced God’s answer to his disciples: “I will send it down unto you; but if any of you after that resists faith, I will punish him with a chastisement such as I have not inflicted on any one among all the peoples” (5:118).

The immoralities and the oppression of Jews caused some otherwise good foods to have been unlawful to them. The Holy Book commands about it:

“For the iniquity of the Jews We made unlawful for them certain (foods) good and wholesome which had been lawful for them; – and that they hindered many from God’s way; – that they took usury, though they were forbidden; and they devoured men’s wealth wrongfully; – we have prepared for these among them who reject faith a grievous chastisement” (4:160-161).

“For those who followed the Jewish law, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof, and we forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep, except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone: this is recompense for their willful disobedience; for We are true (in or ordinances)” (6:146).

Jesus brought God’s mercy to the children of Israel. He was going to make once unlawful but good foods lawful to them again. He would provide them with a more comfortable life. But the children of Israel were required to believe in his prophecy. On the contrary, they were still speaking of the old stories; they were not even thinking of becoming honest people. They did not respect such a messenger, who was their last chance, who healed the blind before their eyes, and who even revived the death; but they applied the same politics of both exploiting his bounties and betraying him as they did to Moses.

One day Jesus came to a group of Jews and said:”O Children of Israel! I am a messenger of God (sent) to you, confirming the Torah (which came) before me, and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.” (61:6)

Ahmad is another name for Muhammad. Jesus was not the first messenger to give these glad tidings. The Messengers who came before informed their followers about the last and the greatest of the Messengers. They advised those who could reach his time to believe in him. Just as, the Word (Book) of God says on this issue:

“Behold! God took the covenant of the Messengers, saying: ‘I give you a Book and Wisdom; then comes to you an Apostle, confirming what is with you; do ye believe in him and render him help.’ God said: ‘Do you agree, and take this my Covenant as binding on you?’ They said: ‘We agree.’ He said: ‘Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.”(3:81)

As this verse declares, every Messenger had confirmed the Messengers preceded him and prepared his people for those Messengers to come. In this way, he was establishing his place in the chain of Messengers from Adam, the first Messenger, to the Seal of Messengers, Muhammad. The chain of Messengers, where all confirm each other and the preceding one maintains the connection by taking promise from his people for the following one. In any one of these Messengers’ time one who obeyed and did not leave Him would directly reach God, who would then be pleased with him. Jesus, who preceded Muhammad, too, confirmed the Messengers who came before him and then gave the good news about the Seal of the Messengers, Muhammad. Thus, he kept his promise to God the perfect way.

CRUCIFIXION

The religion sent through Jesus has abolished some of the rules of the Mosaic (Judaic) law. One of the abolished laws was the permission to marry one’s own niece.

When Jesus became a Messengerhood John the Baptist was the first to believe in him. Essentially, when his honorable father, Zachary, was giving the good news about his son, he also mentioned that John the Baptist would confirm Jesus, who a ‘Word of God’. (3:58)

Herod, the ruler of that time, fell in love with his niece and she loved him, too. According to the Mosaic Law, they took the initiative to get married. The great priest of the Holy House, John the Baptist, was called for this purpose. He told them that by the coming of Jesus such marriages had been abolished and was considered unlawful. The ruler did not like the answer. Although John the Baptist was pressured to do it according to the Mosaic Law, he refused to obey.

“Don’t you accept Moses as a Messenger?”

“Yes, Moses was a Messenger of God. It was God’s order to accept his religion and law. But this time, God has abolished some of the laws given to Moses through the Messenger He has sent (Jesus) and the book (The Gospel) given to him. This religion and these books all belong to God. Messengers only deliver God’s commands and the terms He is pleased with. I am a Messenger of God, too. It is not possible for me to decide in another way.”

The girl and her mother were still insisting on the marriage or else John the Baptist should be killed. So, He was called to the palace and forced for a last time to change his decision, but he was firm about it. The ruler commanded his head to be cut off. Soon he was martyred by cutting his holy head off. Thus, John the Baptist sacrificed himself on the way of God, as did his valuable father Zachary.

This way, Jews were like inviting the wrath and curse of God. They would be mentioned with curses till the Dooms Day and anyone who knows and loves his/her Lord would curse them. On this subject God Almighty said:

“They have incurred divine displeasure: in that they broke their Covenant; that they rejected the Signs of God; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, ‘Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve God’s Word; we need no more)’; – nay, God hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe; – that they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary, a grave false charge; that they said (in boast), ‘we killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the apostle of God’; – But they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for a surety they killed him not -“(4:155-157)

“God did aforetime take a Covenant from the children of Israel, and We appointed twelve captains among them. And God said: ‘I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular Prayers, practice regular Charity, believe in My apostles, honor and assist them, and loan to God a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered from the path of rectitude.”‘(5:13)

“Christ the son of Mary was no more than an Apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God doth make His Signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth.”(5:78)

JESUS’ ASCENSION TO THE HEAVENS

Jesus was sent with the support of the Holy Spirit, Angel Gabriel, or the Trustworthy and with many miracles (2:87). He was given the Gospel. After he became a Messenger at the age of 30, he struggled very hard for three years. Despite all his efforts to deliver the Book and Law of God among the Jews, he couldn’t manage to bring them back to the right path. As one of the five great Messengers who brought the mercy and the guidance of God, the more Jesus put effort to guide the Jews to the truth, the more they opposed to him. Jews did everything they could to overlook the miracles they have witnessed to remain in misguidance, and to be subject to God’s wrath and curse.

After John the Baptist was martyred, then it was Jesus’ turn. Thus, by martyring three Messengers Zachary, John the Baptist and Jesus, who lived in the same period of time, they would get what they were after. The campaign against Jesus was rapidly spreading. Finally, Jesus very well realized that the Jews wouldn’t accept the truth and would unjustly kill him as they did to John the Baptist. Then, he asked his disciples:

“When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said: ‘who will be my helpers to (the work of) God? ‘ Said the disciples: ‘we are God’s helpers: we believe in God, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims (One who submits to God’s will). Our Lord! We believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Apostle; then write us down among those who bear witness.'”(3:52-53)

In the meantime, Jesus received the following response to his supplication to his Lord:

“Behold! God said: ‘ O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow you superior to those reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. …”(3:55)

While Jews were incessantly looking for Jesus, a hypocrite among the disciples (Judas Priest) made agreement with them. He would show them where Jesus was and get paid for it. He led the Jews to the house where Jesus was staying. He first checked the house for Jesus. Seeing that he was there, he opened the door and let the Jews in.

Right at this time, the Angel Gabriel, the Trustworthy took Jesus up to a high station God had destined for him. He was settled in a holy place in the heavens, which was reserved for him. Those who came into the house ran around, entered to the room where Jesus was in. While looking for Jesus, suddenly someone among people saw that hypocrite, Judas Priest, who brought them there, and he screamed:”Here he is whom You are looking for.”

They looked, he was right; It was Jesus, standing right there. In fact, he was not just standing there but just like them, he was also looking for Jesus. They thought this was the end of the deceit. That was it; one of them grabbed him.

He was screaming so loudly as if his voice could be heard from the heavens, and trying to explain that he was an enemy of Jesus. But, it was not like Jesus was not known to them. Many people knew him for so many years. They would not need someone else to identify Jesus. And, they ignored his appeals. None of them could think that: ‘Jesus was not so vociferous. Even if he was about to be killed, he would die honorably with dignity. He would not scream. At least he would not disown his identity and he would not say that he was not Jesus. There was another important fact: If he had seen himself in the mirror, he would have understood that there was no use in crying. In fact he would have been so much stunned that he would have thought, ‘I am Jesus indeed. These people are right.’

Then, he was dragged in front of a cross. His feet were tied and he was asked to say his last prayer. Instead of last prayer, he kept saying he was not Jesus. He was as sincere, when he was saying he was not Jesus, as Jesus when he was preaching people for years. However, the children of Israel had been making fun of Jesus for three years, when they had listened to him. Similarly, they listened to this man and made fun of him by saying:”When it comes to life and death matter, he is not only denying his Messengerhood, but he is denying that he is Jesus. I wish we had done this earlier.”

With these and similar statements of mockery, he was killed. He then took his last breath and became motionless. They watched him with joy for a while. They watched him all night. But those who looked at him carefully realized that this was not the person who was hanged a minute ago. They looked again. He was not Jesus, definitely Jesus. This person was not Jesus as definite as the person who was hanged a minute ago was Jesus. Whoever looked at him, at the first look, had to say:”There is no similarity between this and Jesus.”

He, on the other hand, was punished because of his betrayal, and paid this with his life. Even saying ‘I am not Jesus. The money you gave me is in my pocket.’ could not saved him from the rope. He was taken down and his pocket was checked. The reward money in fact was still in his pocket. Then they felt really sorry. They felt guilty, because they killed someone innocent and who deserved the reward money. They did not catch the man who was supposed to be killed.

God Almighty, when explaining their cursed attempt, says that:

“And (the unbelievers) plotted and planned, and God too planned, and the best of planners is God.”(3:54)

The hypocrite who led these cursed people to Jesus was given the biggest reward. In fact he sold his life for this reward money. And this is a punishment given to him in this world. He failed at the first round; a more pitiful punishment would be given to him in the Hereafter.

The Children of Israel could never solve this problem. They would not find him anywhere, even if they look for him till the Last day. They did not know that everything would end according to God Almighty’s will, Who has control over all things and Whose power is unlimited. They continued searching all over again and again. The fact was to be known six hundred years later by a verse revealed to the Seal of Messengers by God Almighty: (3:54)

In this verse God Almighty, in relation to this subject, says:

“We, cursed the children of Israel (Who say We killed God’s Messenger Jesus, son of Mary). They did neither kill him nor hang him. But Someone was shown to them (look) like him. Those Who are in doubt about Jesus’ Messengerhood are in doubt about this killing. They do not have any knowledge except for assumption. When they were killing, They did not kill with certainty that ‘This is certainly Jesus’. The truth is God has raised him to Himself. God is superior over everything and wise.” (4:156)

Like everybody else, Jesus will also die after returning to the world for a mission, to kill The Anti-Christ. Until that time Jesus will stay where he has been raised to by the Grace of God.

Jesus left only twelve disciples behind, who helped in spreading the word of God. Among the children of Israel, nobody believed him except these twelve people.

Leave a Reply