Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 84
84 consequently died a natural death after having accomplished his mission. Up to the time of his crucifixion, Jesus had preached only to the two tribes of Israel, which remained in Judea after the Babylonian invasion. The other ten tribes were taken prisoners by the Babylonians and forcibly taken out of Judea and were scattered in an area east of the Euphrates. The Bible also confirms that these tribes never returned to their native land. 18 Consequently, Jesus had to take his message to these ten remaining tribes of Israel and for his prophecy to be fulfilled; they had to accept his message. For Jesus’ prophecy to be fulfilled in its entirety, it was imperative that Jesus takes his message to these ten remaining tribes. History records these as the " ten lost tribes of Israel". An excellent account of these tribes is found elsewhere. 19 Thus Jesus had himself prophesied that his people, similar to Jonah’s experience, would accept his message and his mission would thus be accomplished. A detailed examination of Biblical description of events immediately before and after crucifixion follows: The Biblical account of Crucifixion is as follows: 20 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane and saith unto the disciples, sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: Tarry he here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Quite understandably Jesus, a sincere servant of God and a true prophet, was much agitated over the prospect of being condemned to death by crucifixion. Apart from the suffering involved, such a denouement would forever become a barrier to the Jews believing in him as the Messiah, as they would deem his death accursed. He therefore supplicated repeatedly in agony that he might be delivered from death on the cross; being in agony he prayed more earnestly. Thus the Biblical confirmation: 21 'And his sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down to the ground'. As a true prophet, he realized that his duty was to approach God humbly for deliverance. He hoped and believed that his prayer would be accepted, yet his soul was in travail before the awful majesty of God Who alone had full knowledge of His Own designs. That is why Jesus added to his supplication: 22 Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.