Hello everyone,
I begin by praising God and I ask Him to send His peace and blessings to His Prophets, Righteous people and us all.
Sometimes my Christian friends always get furious and offended when ever Muslims as myself ask questions about Jesus (pbuh); it be Theological or Historical.
My question is; DID JESUS COME FOR CHRISTIANS only or DID He COME FOR THE WHOLE WORLD? According to John 3:16, one would say He was sent for the whole world. Reading from Matthew 15:24 however, we could suggest he didn’t come for neither the world at large nor the gentiles as per Paul’s letters; but He was sent specifically to the Jews.
In my studies of the Bible (New Testament textual criticism, Papyrus and the current word of scripture as it is today-Bible), my view has evolved overtime. Most of us read the Gospels vertically only (from top to bottom of a page and on…). My suggestion is that a horizontal method of reading the Gospels paints a different picture of comprehension from mainstream teachings of the Church today. What I mean is, in reading the Bible, one is required to study same episodes reported by the four Gospel writers. I promise you the difference in almost all the reports of Matthew and Luke from Mark is that of chalk and cheese. As we may know, Mark wrote his gospel first (about 65-75CE) and Matthew and Luke wrote about a decade after. John, whose report presents a very high Christology, wrote in the final years of the first century CE.
Let us see just two out of several but serious differences that may change a whole story and context of a book.
1. Matthew concealed the human limitations of Jesus. For example, in Mark 11:12-14, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And the tree withered by next morning. But, in the same episode in Matthew 21:18, Jesus was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing but leaves. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no fruit ever come from you again.” And the tree withered at once. Hence Matthew did not mention that it was not the season for figs. Some Christians focus on Matthew’s depiction of this event, and use the narrative as a parable showing how those who refuse to bear fruit will be dealt with. However, by mentioning the fact that it was not the season for figs, Mark has shown that Jesus’ knowledge was limited. AS mentioned above evangelists do conclude that this passage was a parable. If these books were not put together in one codex, a person reading Mark or Matthew would definitely learn a different lesson from this passage.
Question: – If a person like Matthew could develop a story, how do we know he did not reduce more?
2. John makes Jesus take charge of his arrest and crucifixion.
a.)Arrest:
In the Gospel according to Matthew we have Judas kissing Jesus as a signal to the Roman soldiers. Matthew 26:47-49; while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
In the Gospel according to John the story is different.
John 18:4-8 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want? “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go”.
Jesus in the book of John pushes the mob down by his saying: “I am he”. My contention is that, if a man could change a thing in God’s word, how could we trust it was inspired. Both scenarios could not have happened.
b.) Death:
In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus prays to God about His death. Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
But according to John, the Christology is greater. John 12:27-29 Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name! “Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
I have shown that if one would be scholarly, it might be impossible to give a sermon on the exact words of Jesus. The Gospels are clear about their disagreements about the teachings of Jesus.
I am open to debate these issues publicly. If I am corrected, I will stand corrected.
Sallam.
