The message of Christ in Islam and Christianity
في الكتاب المقدس :in the bible
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
*I am, come* ~ The result ofJesus coming will be that there will be divisions and contentions. He does not mean that he came "for" that purpose, or that he "sought" and "desired" it.. but rather that such was the state of the human heart, and such the opposition of people to the truth, that that would be the "effect" of his coming.
*Fire* ~ Fire.. here, is the emblem of discord and contention, and consequently of calamities.
*And what will I* ~ Or what would I, but that it were kindled. Since it is "necessary" for the advancement of religion that such divisions should take place.. since the gospel cannot be established without conflicts, and strifes, and hatreds. You should understand this as was not Mohammed also hated and persecuted by those who did not believe his message?
From this we learn:
1. That the promotion of "religion" may be expected to produce many contests and bitter feelings in some people.
2. That the heart of man must be exceedingly wicked, or it would not oppose Jesus as the Word.
3. That though God cannot look on evil with approbation, yet, for the sake of the benefit which may grow out of it, he is willing to permit it, and suffer it to come into the world.
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
*Am I straitened* ~ How Jesus earnestly wished that it were passed. Since the sufferings "must" be endured, he was anxious that the time should come. These were the feelings of the Jesus in view of his approaching dying hour.
From this we learn:
1. That it is not improper to "feel deeply" at the prospect of dying. It is a sad, awful, terrible event, and it is impossible that we should look at it "without" feeling or even some degree of fear.
2. It is not improper to desire that the time should come, and that the day of our release should be near. To a Christian, death is but the entrance to life, and since the pains of death "must" be endured, and since they lead to heaven, it doesn't matter to Jesus how soon he passes through these sorrows, and rises to eternal rest.
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Jesus gives a true picture of what following Him may bring His followers... Rather than peaceful domestic bliss it could well bring persecution and pain.. Which it did and still does for many Christians then and now. However, the reward in Heaven and the joys ahead make any suffering in the name of God whilst on earth .. Small and insignificant.
The font seems to have changed size again!! Sorry I don't know why it does this or how I can change it.. In this post I have singled out the verses you used from the Bible you used to give the impression that far from bring peace to earth Jesus sought to bring violence and divisions. I am hoping I have explain that you have misunderstood the context of these verses. As for your reasons in choosing such verses and implying by their use a false representation of the Teachings of Jesus.. That is between yourself and God..
Peace
that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
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