I have read that the Quran also mentions about Jesus. Did you know there are many similarities in what the Quran and the Bible teaches about Jesus?
In the Quran, Jesus is called Isa al-masih, which means the Messiah. The Quran says “O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from him, his name is the Messiah, Jesus Son of Mary, well esteemed in this world and the next, and one of the nearest.” (Surah 4:45)
In the Bible, “Messiah” is also one of the titles of Jesus. In the Injil we read that the woman said to Jesus “I know that the Messiah, called Christ, is coming.” Then Jesus declared “I, who speak to you, am he.” (John 4:25-26)
The Quran doesn’t explain why it calls Jesus the Messiah. What about the Bible?
In the Bible, the Messiah is no ordinary person. That is why when Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the Jews accused him of blasphemy.
When did this happen?
The high priest said to Jesus “Tell us if you are the Christ (“Christ” is the Greek word for “Messiah”), the Son of God.” “Yes, it is as you say.” Jesus replied. Then the high priest tore his clothes and said “He has spoken blasphemy.” (Matt 26:63-65)
Where in the Bible did it say that the Messiah is no ordinary prophet?
The Jews believed that this Christ would come from Bethlehem. The Bible says “Does not the scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”
What is it about this Messiah from Bethlehem?
In the Bible we read “But you O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from ye shall come forth for anyone who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” The term “from ancient days” talks about eternal existence and is a term and the Bible applied only to God.
So that is why the Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy?
Yes. And when Jesus called himself the Son of God, the Jews also accused him of blasphemy because they knew what the title “Son of God” means.
Even before Jesus was born, the Bible already gave him the title “Son of God”?
Yes, in the Old Testament, we read “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called a Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and the Son of God, both of which refer to God? These are very strong claims.
That’s right. Isn’t it true the Quran teaches that the Messiah will one day come back to earth to destroy the evil one, what Muslims call the dajjal. Why does the Messiah have so much power that he can kill the ultimate evil?
We should discuss this in greater detail another day.