RESPONDING TO A MUSLIMS ATTACKS • Balogun Abdulquddus Abu Yusrah CHRIST WAS RELUCTANT TO THE CROSS! 1 - HE WAS HIDING HIMSELF (He was Reluctant to the cross): The first thing Jesus did in order to save his life from the Jews who wanted to kill him was that, he was used to hiding himself from the murderers among them. The following verses from the Bible have proved that: i - After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. (John 7:1) ii - Then from that day forth, they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called E-phra-im, and there continued with his disciples. (John 11:53-54) iii - And from thence, he arose and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon and entered into a house, and would have no man know it, but he could not be hid. (Mark 7:24) Therefore, Jesus. Just like others who hide from those who wanted to kill them, hid himself from his enemies. If the coming of Jesus was to die for the sins of men as the Christians want us to believe, why was he hiding himself from the Jews who wanted to execute him? Was he still God when he was hiding away from the Jews? Was he afraid of being caught by the Jews who wanted to kill him? Does God die? Therefore, the first precaution Jesus took to save himself from the evil design of his enemies was that, he was always watchful and hiding from one place to the other, untill he was finally caught against his will through the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. When the enemies came face to face with him, he could do nothing than to handover himself to them reluctantly. MY RESPONSE: This is an old, worn-out theory advocated by some liberals, centuries ago. It is rejected by many theologians. Is there a website you copied this from? The passages quoted above actually show Christ’s determination to die by no other means than the Roman cross, and at no other time than the time appointed by the Almighty. Yes, God is always God; and Man is always Man. The Lord Jesus is the God-Man. He used a variety of means to accomplish these Divinely ordained purposes. 2 - JESUS PRAYED TO BE SAVED FROM DEATH ON THE CROSS (Blood sweating prayer): Another precaution used by Jesus to escape death from the hands of the enemies was, that strong weapon of the believers called prayer. According to the following verses of the Bible, Jesus Christ prayed to God so that he can save him from death: i - And they come to a place which was named Geth-sem-a-ny and he saith to his disciples, sit ye here, while I pray. And he taketh with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy. And said unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death; tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little and fell on the hour might pass from him. And he saith: Ab-ba, father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will but what thou wilt...... (Mark 14:32-46, see also Matthew 26:39-44) ii - Jesus said: Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour; but it for this cause came I unto this hour. (John 12:27). Why was Jesus praying for God to save his life in the hands of his enemies who wanted to kill him? Did he not agree to die for the sins of mankind as the Christians said? Did Jesus forget the contract he took from heaven of coming to die for the sins of men as the Christians are saying? Was he afraid of death? But these questions are not as important as the following questions regarding the prayers made by Jesus Christ, the questions are: Did God answer the prayers of Jesus or did God reject his prayers? Where the Bible does says that, God rejected the prayer of Jesus? And where does the says God had approved the distressful prayer of Jesus Christ? Let the Bible answer the question: HOW GOD HONOURED JESUS BY ACCEPTING HIS PRAYER The first assurance God gave Jesus of answering his prayer was to send his Angel to strengthen Jesus faith in the following verses: i - And he came out, and went as he went to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also follow him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying, father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: neverthless not my will but thine be done. AND THERE APPEARED AN ANGEL UNTO HIM FROM HEAVEN STRENGTHENING HIM. AND BEING IN AN AGONY, HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY: AND HIS SWEAT WAS AS IT WERE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN TO THE GROUND. And when he rose up from prayer, and he came to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow; and said unto them, why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. (Luke 22:39-46) ii - Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and God heard in that he feared. (Hebrews 5:7) The verse says, Jesus prayed to be saved from death and God accepted his prayers - meaning, he will not die. MY RESPONSE: When blood comes out of one’s body like drops of sweat, this person is in a dying condition. Satan in the Garden was attempting to kill Him, prior to the cross. The Man Jesus was under great stress, and He called upon the Father to rescue Him from this Satanic cup. The Father sent an angel to strengthen Him against Satan’s attacks, and thus He continued His sacred journey to the cross. Here is where the Hebrews 5:7 fits in; He was rescued from a premature death, and He was saved for the death of a cross. He certainly and necessarily died for our sins, on a Calvary cross! 3 - HE DEFENDED HIMSELF B4 THE TRIAL. The Bible says: ...So he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) Did Jesus speak with his mouth closed? How did the following utterances which are attributed to Jesus, escape his lips without him opening his mouth? An I quote: i - Before Pontius Pilate: My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) ii - Before the Sanhedrin: If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why smitest thou me. (John 18:23) iii - Before God in the Garden: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away......... (Matthew 26:39) Again and again, whatever the need arose, during his trials and tribulations, Jesus opened his mouth with telling effect, according to the scriptures. He never submitted himself LIKE A LAMB ABOUT TO BE SLAUGHTERED, but he defence himself before all!!! Thanx! MY RESPONSE: The Lord Jesus did not open His mouth in an attempt to prevent His death on a cross. But He spoke in defense of the truth that was under attack. Indeed, it was in His power to prevent His own death; but He chose to submit Himself, like a lamb about to be slaughtered, onto the death of a cross. I hope you would learn to appreciate what the Lord Jesus has done for you, and that you would come to Him, rejecting all evil. Dr. Habib J. Khoury
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 09:41:21 +0000
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