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4. The names and titles of Jesus are unique.
He is called our
Advocate, the Angel, the Archangel, the Branch, the Bridegroom, the
Daystar, the Door, Immanuel, the Faithful and True, the Holy One, the I
AM, the Just One, the King of kings, the Lamb of God, the Light of the
world, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Man Child, the Messenger of
the Covenant, Michael ("Who is like God?"), the Prince of
life, the Prince of Peace, the Rock, the Servant, the Saviour, the Good
Shepherd, the Son of David, the Water of life, and many other names as
well.
Allah said of him, "this is my beloved Son: hear him." 16
What did he mean when he said that? By saying this he meant that Jesus
is unique among all others, as a son is different from anyone else in
the world. He did not teach polytheism, or that God had sexual relations
with a woman to produce offspring. The Bible nowhere teaches such a
thing. A son is the "image" or likeness of his father. Jesus
said to his disciples, "He that hath seen me hath seen the
Father." 17 This illustrates the relationship. Allah spoke through Jesus: "The Son is the
radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his
being." 18
Thus Jesus supersedes the prophets. They are known by their distinct
titles; as Abraham the "friend of God" (Khalil Allah), or
Moses the "spokesman with God" (Kalim Allah), but in the
honoured Qur’an Jesus is called the "Spirit of God" (Ruh
Allah).
5. His power is unique.
The things he did are the same as what
God does. Who can raise the dead, except God? Jesus raised the dead son
of the widow of Nain, and Lazarus (a man who had been dead four days). 19
Who can cleanse lepers, except God? Jesus cleansed them. 20 He
also opened the eyes of the blind. 21 No one was ever sent away
from Jesus as incurable.
There is a difference between the way the ancient prophets healed the
sick and the way that Jesus did it. They healed in the name of Allah;
the Lord Jesus Christ healed them in his own name.
On one occasion, the Jews, opposing him as usual, said, "‘Why
does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive
sins but God alone?’
"Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they
were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, ‘Why are you
thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic,
"Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up, take your
mat and walk?" But that you may know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth to forgive sins,’ … He said to the paralytic, ‘I
tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat,
and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they
praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’" 22
When he resurrected Lazarus, he came to the door of the tomb and
called out, "Lazarus, come forth", and Lazarus awoke from
death and came forth. On this
occasion Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life."
23 He is the only hope anyone has of a resurrection from the
dead, for all who are now in their graves patiently await hearing his
voice. Jesus says: "As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he
given to the Son to have life in himself . … Marvel not at this: for
the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear
his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation." 24 You and I will be among those who
will face him.
As he had power to give life to the dead, so now he has power to give
new life to all who will come to him. His business is transforming
hearts and lives.
His victory over death is the only hope the world has.
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