Jesus Meets Muhammad (Part Five ): ”Conversations, a Discussion” between Jesus and Muhammad

Article Title: Jesus Meets Muhammad (Part Five ): ”Conversations, a Discussion” between Jesus and Muhammad

Key words (tags): Islam, Christianity, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Muhammed, faiths, unity of religions, spiritual growth

Web sites: http://jesusmeetsmuhammad.wordpress.com/　and buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com

The submitter’s blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at www.wordpress.com/ and http://craiglock.wordpress.com

Publishing Guidelines:

These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published

Jesus Meets Muhammad (Part Five ): ”Conversations, a Discussion” between Jesus and Muhammad (and Sharing a Few Thoughts on Violence)

Article Summary:

A “chance” meeting and consequent conversation and debate between these founders of great religions (and great and fascinating figures in history) . . . and the title of a new manuscript that is “writing itself”, my “secret task, a labour of love” in the year 2011

“But am I the Messiah? Only God, the Father knows that!

M: To recap on yesterday…
We agree that there is only ONE God in the Universe, but Muslims believe Allah is the only way, just like Christians believe the only way to salvation is THROUGH You. Have I got that right?

J: That’s about it “in a nutshell”, Muhammad.

M: I like your original phrases. This ‘Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven’ you talk about so often. What is this about, Jesus?

It’s simply about a new way of living, putting God, the Creator first in everything; then everything else just falls into place. Having the right foundation for living good and fruitful lives. That was the core of my message and it follows on from the message of John the Baptist, which was one of personal transformation, repentance, forgiveness, the coming of a Saviour and so on. John preached that a new order, a new Age is on the way… a change of minds and especially hearts. The Universe begins in “here”!

“Heaven is important, but it’s not the end of the world.”

M: Like people call “New Age” writings, these days. Like those of the American “spiritualist”, Neale Donald Walsch in his popular series of books, “Conversations with Allah”. Ha ha!

Another very important question for you.
Are you that Saviour for all mankind, Jesus?

J: Of course, if that’s what YOU want, Muhammad!

But I did always feel a reason, a very strong purpose, a sense of mission for being put on the planet. From a very young age, when I studied the Torah and the words of the ancient prophets of Israel, like Isiaih and Micah.

And most importantly. my birth-place Bethlehem, was a tiny insignificant village, but the Prophet Micah wrote that from there God would raise up the Deliverer.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel.”
- Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 is one of the clearest and most important of all Old Testament Prophecies. And this prophecy about the birth-place and eternity of the Messiah was made 700 years before My birth!

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JESUS MEETS MUHAMMAD (CHAPTER FIVE)

CONVERSATIONS , A “FASCINATING” DISCUSSION BETWEEN JESUS AND MUHAMMAD (ON WHETHER VIOLENCE CAN EVER BE JUSTIFIED)

Now onto the subject of violence and terrorism which is often used by the west to attack Islam. Some, many westerners say that Islam is a religion that condones violence… and perhaps even promotes it. And this perception is a great source of division, of friction between the Muslim world and the West. Can I ask you some questions, on this controversial subject, Muhammad?

M: Sure, Jesus. Firstly, as you know, most of the problems in life – those between individuals, families and nations arise through misunderstandings and a lack of communication. Just remember our words, the ones we speak at a certain time are often get taken out of context, from the circumstances at a particular time in history. Then these words are used against our religion… by certain people for their own agendas (“hidden”)… and to justify their actions. An example. You yourself once said: “I come not to bring peace, but a sword.” And we both know that you, the “Prince of Peace”, as you are often called, really meant that deeply held beliefs will cause divisions, even amongst one’s families.
I’m sure you were using the sword, that symbol as a metaphor to make a strong point.

And my words too should also be taken in the the context of the times I was speaking in… the historical context over 1400 years ago, when our tribes were being continually attacked. And there was even a greater sense of tribalism among Arab peoples than there is even today!

You also have to bear in mind that Arab culture is very different to Jewish culture. With it’s many tribes and hierarchies, the religion can more easily control the people by attempting to unify them, a hard task though it is.

So religion is not only a belief system, but a means of controlling the masses.

Of course. And it always has been. But you must think deeply about it and follow your own truth.

Hope we are not “has-beens”

But far better to have been a “has been” than a “never was”.

Thank goodness we have a sense of humour and can laugh about our differences… because religion is such a serious subject, isn’t it!

Want to go and do a “spot of” fishing, Jesus?

Sure thing – I’d love to spend more time together fishing and chatting about life. And not just the ‘heavy” serious aspects now, Mohammad”

Shared by “don’t quite know who is’writing’ these words”

When you forgive (another person or country), you empty your mind of negative thoughts (perhaps even thoughts as strong as hate). Then the infinite Spirit of God makes a fresh space in our hearts to allow new positive feelings to take their place.. to pour into our hearts. The ‘freed’ person then moves forward with a new spirit…which takes root in people’s minds, hearts, spirits and even in the deepest recesses of their souls.”

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it’s an ongoing state of mind. A long and ardous journey that starts with a single large step – in spite of immense pain, the decision to forgive, a commitment to the ideal… and one that gives freedom… to the forgiven, yet also to the forgiver.”

He is currently “writing” ‘Jesus Meets Muhammad’ and is posting extracts at http://jesusmeetsmuhammad.wordpress.com/　and buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com.

The submitter’s blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at www.wordpress.com and http://craiglock.wordpress.com

What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other… and how we live. Only when we can say, ‘I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi’ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh…’ will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. “

Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.

From the depth of the valleys, in the deserts of despair, there is hope… as there is the unquenchable oasis, the immense breadth and depth of the human spirit… always.”-craig　

“Lord

Give us forgiveness for the past, strength for today and hope for the future.”

These writings (“whether crazy or perhaps inspired”) may be freely published

“When (or perhaps rather if) you arrive in heaven, let faith, hope and love be the wings that carried you there.”

"Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility... and together let's look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher."