Jesus and Mohammed

Jesus was born in Bethlehem around the year of Rome 754 to the Virgin Mary and her betrothed Joseph. On the night of Jesus' birth an angel appeared to some shepherds and announced the coming of a Savior. The eighth day after he was born, Jesus was circumcised and on the 40^th day he was presented in the temple and Simeon declared Him to be the light of nations and glory of Israel.

Herod, the Roman client king of Judea, fearing the coming savior might usurp his throne ordered that all children in Bethlehem, that were two years or younger, to extirpation. Joseph was warned of the danger in a dream by an angel of the Lord and took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt. After the death of Herod, they went to reside at Nazareth in Galilee and is the reason why Jesus is referred to as a Nazarene.

There are very few accounts of Jesus in his younger years. When He was about the age of 30 years, John, a relative of Jesus, baptized Him in the River Jordan. During this time the Spirit of God descended upon Him and a voice from Heaven said, "Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Jesus retired to a solitary location and passed forty days in fasting, meditation, and prayer. During this period of solitude, Jesus was tempted on three occasions by the devil himself. Time after time, Jesus turned down Lucifer's offers of food, wealth, and power, quoting a scripture from the Book of Deuteronomy each time. Afterwards, He was transfigured in the presence of three of His disciples. Moses and Elias appeared to Him from heaven and His raiment became white and shining.

The mission of Jesus was said to have taken three years and was spent in acts of mercy, inculcating a purer system of morals, more exalted notions of God, and more elevating views of man and his destiny. Jesus taught His disciples a form of prayer that is more commonly referred to as the Lord's Prayer.

Jesus picked twelve apostles to be the companions during His ministry and the witnesses of his miracles as well as the depositories of His doctrine. Jesus was betrayed into the power of His enemies with the mockery of friendly salutation by one of His twelve, Judas Iscariot. Many of Jesus' followers, though they said they were devoted to His words would betray Him. Jesus knew this and proclaimed to them that they would, though they made promises to even die by His side for never denying their belief in Him. Jesus was carried before the Jewish priests and was found guilty. He was condemned to death by the Roman magistrates because they claimed He was a disturber of the peace. He was nailed to the cross on Mount Calvary and in the time of His death, he prayed for the forgiveness of His executioners and commended His mother and to His favorite disciple.

Three hours after Jesus cried out "It is finished!" and gave up the ghost, His body was taken down by Joseph of Arimathea and placed in a tomb, remembering His prophecy that He would rise on the third day, the Jewish priests set guards outside and sealed up the door. His prophecy was fulfilled by His resurrection on the first day of the week and He appeared repeatedly to His disciples to encourage, console and instruct them.

Forty days after His resurrection, while on top of Mount of Olives, a cloud appeared and took Jesus up to heaven. His disciples watched and learned from two mean appearing to them that He would come again in the same manner as He had gone. Without the death of Jesus, Christianity would never have been started.

A Brief History of Mohammed

Prophet Mohammed was born in 570 CE in Makkah. Several weeks before his birth, Mohammed's father passed away. His mother died whist in return from a journey to Medinah when he was six years old. Mohammed's paternal grandfather raised him until the age of eight years, when Mohammed's paternal uncle killed his grandfather. Mohammed earned a living as a business man and trader under the guardianship of the same paternal uncle that killed his grandfather.

He became well know wit impressive credentials and was asked by a rich merchant widow, Khadijah, to take merchandise for trade to Syria. Not long after the trip, at the age of 25, he was asked to marriage by Khadijah, who was twice widowed and was forty years old. Mohammed had six children, four daughters and two sons, one son died during infancy.

It was during one of Mohammed's retreats to Mount Hira for mediation for the month of Ramadan, when he received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel told him to "read". Mohammed replied that he did not know how. After two more times, Gabriel asked him to repeat after him and said the first five verses of Surah.

After seeking consolation from his wife, Khadijah consulted her cousin that confirmed the visitor was Gabriel and that Mohammed was the expected prophet. Over the next 23 years, Gabriel visited Mohammed and passed on the verses. After people started following Mohammed, there were threats of death and fights to end his teachings, they escaped to Abyssina.

Khadijah passed away and later Mohammed married another widowed woman. He never married anyone other than widowed women and had several wives that he would never divorce. Their children were his children and he accepted them as such.

Over time, the fight continued. Many Muslims lost their men that were trying to protect their cities and religion. Many people lost their lives to non-believers. After many years of persecution, Muslims were finally embraced and allowed to practice their beliefs. After the death of Mohammed, people continued to practice their religion and believe that he was the most influential prophet.

How are They Worshipped and Their Messages Carried Out?

Jesus is worshipped by believing that he died for our sins. We are to pray to the almighty lord and recite the Lord's Prayer. We must devote ourselves to the word of God and be strong in our faith. We also attend church sermons and masses, read the words of the Bible, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and accept communion. Jesus' messages are being carried out by his followers as well as pastors and priests. People are following the teaching and commandments that have been sent down from heaven. There are also ways that the media sends out these messages for all to hear and see. For instance, many channels will broadcast the sermons on television as well as the radio. Locally, a few of our churches will broadcast on the AM stations to those that are unable to attend the sermons. There are also books and groups dedicated to helping better people's understanding of God and all them to receive information.

Mohammed is not worshipped by his people, but they do pray and worship the Almighty God. Worshipping Mohammed or anyone else is considered to be the worst sin possible. Islam is being spread in the same sense. Through books and the Qur'an, the Islam word and the verses that were presented to Mohammed from Gabriel are being given to the followers of Islam. They also offer mosque sermons, like in Christianity, where one can praise Allah, the one and only Almighty.