There are several religions in the world, with their leaders claiming to be the savior and the only way to God. Each religion assumed superiority over the others; this has given rise to spiritual racism in the world. The truth is that all cannot be true, there is but only one way to God.
Christians teach that Jesus Christ is the only way to God; to some, this is the most offensive teaching they have ever heard. Both the Bible and the Quran are in agreement that Jesus is the Messiah. To understand that Jesus is the only way to God, one must know what sin and its consequences are, the sacrificial system and the reason why Jesus came to this earth some two thousand years ago.
When the first man fell into sin and sin spread into the whole world (we have all personally sinned against God). It has been the desire of God to draw mankind close to Him again. God could have done this redemption work at once; He is omnipotent. God took His time, in a gradual process to reveal His son Jesus Christ to redeem man from his miserable situation, and to some extent, for mankind to understand this redemption process and embrace it. But before Jesus Christ was revealed, several sacrifices were made to atone for sins.
In the Jewish dispensation, individual sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of a person who have sinned. On the great Day of Atonement, several sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the entire congregation of Israel. This Levitical system and its sacrifices have several shortfalls.
The high priest, who was to make the sacrifice for the entire congregation, has to do one for himself first, before doing it for others; he has infirmities hence not perfect (Hebrews 5:1-4). Even though the sacrifices were considered to be efficacious, it was not, there were still stains of guilt on the people. The sacrifice has to be repeated year after year with the hope of purging the people from their sins but the blood of bulls and goats could not take away the sins of man (Hebrews 10:1-4).
If the people and nation whom God has chosen could not do away from sin what about the rest of the people who are aliens? The Bible declares that the whole world, both the Jews and the Gentiles were in bondage; there is absolutely no one righteous on this earth.
(Rom 3:9-12) What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Mankind was miserable, we had no hope, we are slaves to sin and his master Satan, we have been separated from God because of sin, and we have no relationship with God, we were in darkness. Who could pay our debt for us, who could bridge the gap for us in order for us to reach God?
Unfortunately, no one is qualified to save man from his sins and the power of darkness; an imperfect man cannot save his friend an imperfect man; we are all in the same damnation! This was what happened to the apostle John on the Island of Patmos when things that are past, present and the future were being revealed to him.
(Rev. 5:1-4) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in the earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
The only thing left for man is to face the wrath of God. This was the state of man before the appearance of the Messiah.
Jesus is the Messiah
The word “Messiah” means anointed one of God; its Greek equivalent is Christos. It means someone who has been set apart to carry out God’s purpose for His people. In the Old Testament, the term is restricted to kings and priests as they were consecrated for God’s work.
The coming of the Messiah has long been foretold; He is not new to the pre- Christian era. His place of birth, where he would be born, the Empire during which He would be born, the person whom the Holy Spirit would impregnate, the tribe He would come from, His purpose of coming into the world, His death and resurrection. These and many have been made known by God through the prophets.
The Jews knew Jesus to be the Messiah.
King Herod, the chief priests and the scribes recognized Jesus as the MessiahThe chief priests, the scribes and King Herod himself were not unaware of the numerous prophecies about the Messiah. They were heavily troubled because they have the mistaken notion that the birth of the new King would involve and interfere in secular power, but Jesus Christ made it clear that His Kingdom is not of this world.
Also, The Jews long awaited the coming of the Messiah; they were promised and they also read it in the scriptures. But they view the Messiah differently. They believe that the Messiah would deliver them from their oppressors and enemies, the Romans. They hope in a physical kingdom, a physical war with the Romans.
(Mat 2:3 -5) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet.
The Pharisees recognized Jesus as the Messiah just that most of them pretended. This could be seen in the discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees and ruler of the Jews.
(John 3:2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
What Nicodemus told Jesus that “...we know that thou art a teacher come from God...” means that those connected with him (the Pharisees, the Scribes and the rest of his friends) hold the same opinion as him, Nicodemus, that Jesus is from God and for that matter the Messiah. The Pharisees were convinced that Jesus is the Messiah but only Nicodemus gathered carriage to learn more about the doctrine of Christ.
Andrews and Philip, the apostles of Jesus distinguished Him as the Messiah when they were been called.
(John 1:41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, we have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
(John 1:45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, we have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
They read about the Messiah in the Torah and in the Prophets so when Jesus appeared no one needs to tell them that He is the Messiah; His character and personality portray that truly He is the Messiah, they could not deny it.
The Quran declared Jesus Christ as the Messiah
Even, the Quran acknowledged that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and not the “Prophet Mohammed”(Quran 3:45-46)The Angels said, “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. He will speak to the people from the crib, and in adulthood, and will be one of the righteous.”
(Quran 5.75) The Messiah son of Mary was no other than a messenger before whom [similar] messengers passed away, and his mother was a saintly woman. They used to eat food [like other human beings]. See how We make the revelations clear to them, and see how they are deluded!
(Quran 4.157) And because of their saying: “We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger.” They did not kill or crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them. Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof, but a conjecture they follow; they did not kill him for certain.
The Messiah is the instrument with which God would reveal His redemption work through the chosen person and the kingdom of God. Jesus of Nazareth has qualified to do this special work; He is without sin, hence the perfect Lamb of God.
(Rev 5:5-9) And one of the elders, saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they have sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
The state of Jesus Christ before His incarnation
He is equal with God(Php 2:6-8) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
This passage clarifies the divinity of Jesus Christ; no Bible chapter and verse has stated it so plainly. Jesus Christ is equal with God but He has consented to pour out himself. He left His heavenly glory and honour, made Himself of no reputation and in the form of a servant, and humbled Himself and became obedient to death even the death of the cross. This is the most remarkable humbleness, obedience and an act of humiliation that has ever happened! Not because of anything but for you and I. Again He became poor because of you and me.
(2Co 8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Read also: GOD EXISTS IN THREE PERSONS
The Redemption work of Jesus Christ and why He is the only way to God
Jesus Christ made it plain that His purpose of coming into the world is to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19: 10). He, therefore, offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
(Heb 10:10-12) By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.
The Bible made it clear that if there is no shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). Through His blood those who believed gained redemption. (Ephesians 1:7).
Jesus died, was buried and resurrected on the third day according to the scriptures (1Corinthians 15: 3-4), He is the only person who died, buried and resurrected and lives forever. He defeated death and its power. To the world, His death, burial and resurrection are glad tidings, good news or gospel because He has brought life and immortality to light through it.
(2Ti 1:10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Jesus Christ has broken the wall between man and God, He is the bridge that touched both banks, it links man to God; hence anyone who wants to go to God must walk on this bridge.
 |
| Jesus is the bridge that touched both banks, He links man to God |
Since there is only and only one mediator between God and man, there is therefore only one way to God. Jesus Christ, Himself thought this and the book of John contains several statements to this effect:
(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(John 8:24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
When Peter was questioned by the rulers of the Jews about the authority and power he used to heal a lane man, he answered them that he did it by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the one they have crucified but God raised. Apart from Him, there is no salvation.
(Acts 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other names under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The apostle John, clarified this in his epistle to the Christians when some of them were deviating from the faith.
(1Jn 5:10-12) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
In conclusion, the fact that Jesus Christ died, was buried and resurrected to life is the foundation of the Christian faith and hope. He is the procuring cause of salvation which is evident through His sufferings and even the death on the cross; He has become the author of salvation.
If not so our faith and hope are in vain. The preaching of the gospel and all our labor is in vain and the whole world is still in sin. The prophet Mohammed died and resurrected not; he has no power over death hence he is not the savior of the world.
One cannot worship God through Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ; she did not bore your pains and shame on the cross. Jesus Christ is the only one, who paid for the debt which we could never pay. He is the one, who reconciled us to God, and He is the mediator between God and man, therefore the bridge on which anyone who wishes to go to God and for that matter heaven to walk on. Remember, Christ in you the hope of glory.
0 Comments