The Uniqueness of Jesus
The Uniqueness of Jesus in the Qur'an and the Bible
Chapters
We have outlined four features of the life of Jesus which are taught in both the Qur'an and the Bible. What can we learn about Jesus from these features? Firstly, they reveal to us a man who was quite unique in the history of mankind. Secondly, they show that this uniqueness implies singular greatness - such as no other man possesses. Let us briefly analyze the uniqueness of Jesus in the four features we have thus far considered in this booklet.
a). The Virgin-Birth.
Being born of a virgin-woman, Jesus had an exceptional and unique beginning to his life. He is the only man in all human history who was born in this unusual way.
b). The Sinlessness of Jesus.
He alone led a sinless life. Every other man has, at some time or other, thought or done evil as the Qur'an and the Bible jointly testify. But Jesus alone led a sinless and totally pure and holy life. Not only, therefore, did his life begin exceptionally, but it was conducted in a unique way as well.
c). The Ascension.
If the life of Jesus began in unusual circumstances, it ended in an even more remarkable way. While other men return to the dust, Jesus ascended into heaven. In this he is unique as well - no other man without any change in his nature ascended to the very presence of the living God as the Qur'an and the Bible both teach. He alone could go where no angel dared to tread - to the ultimate throne of the God of glory. The Qur'an and the Bible do not teach that any other man ever did this. In this Jesus is unique as well.
d). The Second Coming.
The Christian and Muslim worlds await the return of Jesus from heaven. The Qur'an and the Bible both teach that he alone is to herald the hour of Judgment. Christians and Muslims may differ in what they expect Jesus to accomplish on his return but both in any event expect him to take complete control of all the earth with himself as Judge of all. This alone puts him head and shoulders above all other men in accomplishment and again makes him unique among men - a uniqueness which is vested in majesty and glory.
Though he has been in the highest heavens for nearly two thousand years, he will return looking not a day older than he was when he first ascended to heaven. Over all these centuries neither death nor time have been able to make any impression on him. On this the Qur'an and the Bible are agreed as well.
Of no other man in history can we read of such a phenomenal beginning and end to his life on earth. And no other man than Jesus is now awaited by Christians and Muslims - and that from heaven as well. In the light of these admitted facts we can only conclude that Jesus Christ is a remarkably unique man. No one compares with him. In his birth, his character, destiny and ultimate glory he stands head and shoulders above all other men who have ever lived on earth.
Be it noted that the uniqueness of Jesus is not the consequence of favourable circumstances, nor the result of the favour of men, but solely the effect of the spe- cial will of God who in every way alone is responsible for his eminent greatness. It is God who has made Jesus unique among men. It is by his power and will alone that we behold a man whose very being from start to finish is charged with exceptional greatness and honour. It is from heaven that his majesty originates and comes.
All this demands serious consideration. Certain questions are begged by these circumstances. Why did God vest Jesus with such uniqueness? What is implied by all these exceptional features of his life? What sort of man is this who does not share these features with other great men but has all of them vested in himself? And Lastly - and most importantly - who indeed is this man Jesus, when these exceptional features of his life and personality demand that he cannot just be an ordinary man like all other men? The rest of this booklet will be devoted to a comparative study of the Qur'an and the Bible to find the ultimate answer to these questions.