Part 2 - The Radiance of Jesus Christ: A Beacon of Hope

Part 2 delves into the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus and his early life, emphasizing his special status as a chosen messenger of God. It provides a detailed interpretation of the Quranic account of Jesus' birth. The section also highlights Jesus' first miraculous act of speaking from the cradle, confirming his prophethood. Additionally, it touches on the mission of Jesus to guide the Children of Israel and his teachings centered around monotheism and righteousness.

Jesus Christ, Son of Mary PBUH

The eminent Prophet, Jesus Christ PBUH, was born miraculously near Bethlehem in 1 BCE, only about 10 kilometers from Jerusalem. God chose Noble Mary above all women for the honor of mothering Jesus PBUH.

The Miraculous Birth of the Prophet Jesus PBUH

The descriptions in various versions of the Bible regarding Jesus' miraculous birth are often ambiguous and unverified. Here, we present the detailed interpretation of the Quranic revealed knowledge, which is normally presented in Italic fonts in our blogs:

"O Mary! God has chosen you, purified you, and favored you above all women in the world. Be devout to your Lord, prostrate yourself, and bow down with those who bow down."

The angels announced, "O Mary! God gives you good news of a Word from Him, His name will be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary; honored in this world and the Hereafter, and he will be one of those nearest to God. He will speak to people in infancy and adulthood and will be one of the righteous."

Mary questioned, "My Lord, how can I have a child when no man has ever touched me?" The angel replied, "So will it be. God creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He simply tells it, ‘Be!’ And it is!"

Upon realizing her situation, Mary withdrew to a secluded place. Then the angel Gabriel appeared before her as a man, perfectly formed. She sought refuge in the Most Compassionate.

He assured her, "I am only a messenger from your Lord, sent to bless you with a pure son."

Mary replied, "How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me, nor am I unchaste?"

He responded, "So will it be! Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me. And so will We make him a sign for humanity and a mercy from Us.’ It is a matter already decreed."

So she conceived him and withdrew to a remote place. The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She cried, "Alas! I wish I had died before this, and was a thing long forgotten!"

And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and gave them refuge on high ground - a suitable place for rest with flowing water.

A voice reassured her from below, “Do not grieve! Your Lord has provided a stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of this palm tree towards you, it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon you. So eat, drink, and put your heart at ease."

But if you see any of the people, say, ‘I have vowed silence to the Most Compassionate, so I am not talking to anyone today.’

And God will teach him writing and wisdom, the Torah and the Injeel, and make him a messenger to the Children of Israel to proclaim, I have come to you with a sign from your Lord...

All these prophecies were fulfilled during the life of the Prophet Jesus PBUH, confirming his divine mission.

The First Miracle of the Prophet Jesus PBUH

The First Miracle: Prophet Jesus Speaks from the Cradle

At the dawn of his existence, Prophet Jesus PBUH astounded humanity with a miraculous display of divine wisdom. As an infant, he spoke eloquently from his mother's cradle, declaring:

 

"I am truly a servant of God. He has destined me to be given the Scripture and to be a prophet. He has made me a blessing wherever I go, and bid me to establish prayer and give alms-tax as long as I live, and to be kind to my mother. He has not made me arrogant or defiant. Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised back to life!"

This profound utterance not only testified to his prophethood but also conveyed his love and respect for his mother, who bore him through a miraculous birth. Furthermore, it heralded his mission to bring forth divine wisdom, ushering in a period of enlightenment, compassion, and guidance for humanity.

The Mission of the Messenger: Prophet Jesus Christ PBUH

As Prophet Jesus Christ PBUH commenced his mission, he faced a significant challenge. The Children of Israel, once a blessed nation, had strayed due to misguided spiritual leaders. Over 1400 years, the original messages of God, entrusted to the prophet Moses (AS), King David (AS), and others, underwent alterations and interpretations, leading to the formation of a new religious identity known as 'Judaism.' The practices and teachings of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Prophet Moses (peace be upon them) were transformed to fit this new framework.

During this period, human civilization had progressed significantly, resulting in the development of language, literature, and art. The Talmud, comprising the Mishnah and Gemara, became a central source of Jewish religious law and theology.

Recognizing this evolution, God chose to update and refine the laws, aligning them with the maturing human intellect and morality. He raised Prophet Jesus Christ PBUH as the last Messenger of Bani Israel to guide the lost sheep of the Children of Israel. Jesus' (AS) mission extended to fostering forgiveness, love, tolerance, and care within a community once ensnared by the stringent laws imposed by corrupt and harsh Rabbis.

Much like Prophet Moses (AS) confronted Pharaoh, Prophet Jesus (AS) confronted the rebellious Rabbis among his own people.

The Apostles of Prophet Jesus PBUH

While there were 70 apostles in Eastern Christian traditions, the twelve disciples, often referred to in Christendom, held a special place. These twelve were the closest followers of Prophet Jesus (AS), with Prophet John the Baptist (AS) providing crucial support until his tragic demise at the hands of rebel Jews.

The twelve apostles were Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Judas Iscariot, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alpheus), Bartholomew, Judas Thaddeus, and Simon Zelotes.

The Revelation of the Gospel (Injeel)

God bestowed upon the Mighty Prophet Jesus Christ PBUH the Holy Book known as the Gospel (Injeel) in Hebrew. Unfortunately, the original scripture, as revealed to Jesus (AS), has not been preserved. What remains today are collections of documents, written by anonymous Greek authors, narrating stories about Jesus and his teachings. These four Canonical Gospels—attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—were selected from a pool of 80 Gospels at the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. The names of the authors were added later, centuries after the texts were written. 

Teachings of Prophet Jesus Christ PBUH

The core teaching of Prophet Jesus Christ (AS) was rooted in the fundamental principle of monotheism—belief in and worship of One God. His words and actions, as recorded in the Gospels, emphasize this central message. Jesus' (AS) teachings emphasized obedience to God's commandments and the necessity of surpassing the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

It is important to note that Prophet Jesus (AS) never preached about salvation through the acceptance of his divinity, but rather through adherence to the righteous path laid out by God.

Continue on: Part 3 - The Radiance of Jesus Christ: A Beacon of Hope

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