Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 34
I can of mine own self do nothing, as I hear I judge and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30). I have greater witness than that of John, for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me (John 5:36). And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. (John 5:37). Ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, him ye believe not. (John 5:39). He that sent me is true. (John 8:26). Jesus said unto them, if God were your Father, ye would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I myself, but He sent me. (John 8:42). They have believed that Thou didst send me. (John 17:8). For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me. . . . And this is the will of Him that sent me. . . . (John 6:38-40). It is clear, therefore, that Jesus consistently put himself forward as one who had been sent by God, that is to say, as a messenger of God. In fact, his function as a messenger of God was defined even before his birth by divine direction as set out both in the Gospel and in the Holy Quran. The angel that appeared to Mary and told her that she would bear a son whom she should name Jesus also informed her that God would give him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob (Luke 1:32-33). The Quran affirms that Mary was told that God would teach Jesus the Book and the Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel and would make him a messenger to the children of Israel (3:49-50). It is true that in Luke 1:32, he is called the son of the Highest and in 1:35, the son of God; but these expressions in Biblical idiom do not at all connote Divinity or partnership in Divinity. In Psalms, 82:6 we read: I have said, ye are gods; and all of you are the children of the most High. . In numerous instances the expression son of God is applied to prophets, to the righteous and to believers. The following are only some examples out of many:. Israel is My son, even My first-born. (Exodus 4:22). Also I will make him (David) My first born, higher 36