Passion of the Christ;
Cont’d from page 1
to reassure his mother and her family that he was a messenger.
(The infant spoke and) said, "I am a servant of God. He has
given me the scripture, and has appointed me a prophet.”(19:30)
The section concludes with God’s promise that this is the
truth.
That was Jesus, the son of Mary, and this is the
truth of this matter, about which they continue to doubt. It does
not befit God that He begets a son, be He glorified. To have anything
done, He simply says to it, “Be,” and it is. (19:34-5)
The life and ministry of Jesus is also recounted throughout the
Quran. In one place, God is telling us what He will say when Jesus
comes before Him on the Day of Resurrection:
God will say, "O Jesus, son of Mary, remember
My blessings upon you and your mother. I supported you with the
Holy Spirit, to enable you to speak to the people from the crib,
as well as an adult. I taught you the scripture, wisdom, the Torah,
and the Gospel. Recall that you created from clay the shape of a
bird by My leave, then blew into it, and it became a live bird by
My leave. You healed the blind and the leprous by My leave, and
revived the dead by My leave. Recall that I protected you from the
Children of Israel who wanted to hurt you, despite the profound
miracles you had shown them. The disbelievers among them said, ‘This
is obviously magic.’ Recall that I inspired the disciples:
‘You shall believe in Me and My messenger.’ They said,
‘We have
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believed, and bear witness
that we are submitters.’”(5:110-1)
The Death of the Christ
What about his death—the crucifixion and the suffering? This
also is covered well in the Quran. Does it make sense that a righteous,
devoted, blessed servant of God would be allowed to suffer so cruelly
prior to his death? Would God permit so much agony?
The entire process was part of God’s grand plan, and everyone
involved had a part to play for his own salvation or damnation.
The men who inflicted such punishment are responsible for the pain
they caused, and for each of them it was a test for his own soul.
The people who watched and either stood by passively or cheered
the suffering will have to account for their actions before God.
But what of Jesus? Was he beaten, tortured and nailed to a cross
to die slowly and horribly?
In fact his death was an illusion. God rescued Jesus’ soul
and saved him from feeling the physical pain that was inflicted
on the body. This is God’s mercy toward his righteous servants.
They go directly to God to enjoy Paradise.
The Quran makes it clear that the people are mistaken in their
version of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
And for claiming that they killed the Messiah, Jesus,
son of Mary, the messenger of God. In fact, they never killed him,
they never crucified him—they were made to think that they
did. All factions who are disputing in this matter are full of doubt
concerning this issue. They possess no knowledge; they only conjecture.
For certain, they never killed him. Instead, God raised him to Him;
God is Almighty, Most Wise. (4:157-8)
We understand from this verse that “Jesus, the real person,
the soul,
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was raised in the same manner as in
the death of any righteous person. Subsequently, his enemies arrested,
tortured, and crucified his living, but empty, body.”
The Passion of the Christ
Passion has many meanings. Jesus had a passion for delivering the
true message of God, to worship Him alone. He pursued his mission
passionately. He was wise and faithful and devoted. This was his
passion. He tried to preach to people who were either oblivious
to his message or actively fighting against it because it would
undermine their position of authority. He was ridiculed, persecuted
and ultimately arrested simply for telling people to worship God
alone.
When Jesus went with the proofs, he said, "I
bring to you wisdom, and to clarify some of the matters in which
you dispute. You shall reverence God and obey me. God is my Lord
and your Lord, you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.”
The opponents disputed among themselves. Woe to those who transgress
from the retribution of a painful day. (43:63-5)
Did Jesus suffer on cross?
With regard to his “suffering,” God makes it clear
that it didn’t happen the way people think. He says, “For
certain, they never killed him. Instead, God raised him to Him”
(as it is clearly stated in verses 4:157-158.)
There is no suffering with God, only eternal bliss. We don’t
need to feel sorry for Jesus and his “passion.” We can
rejoice in his salvation. And if we follow his message—his
true message to worship God ALONE—we can join him with God
in Paradise.
Lydia
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