I THOUGHT JESUS WAS ONLY A PROPHET

I remember reading this part of the Scripture from my bunkmate’s Bible as a young Muslim girl 13 years ago while at the university. This Truth, no matter how much I tried to deny it, shook the foundation of my faith.

Before I picked up my bunkmate’s Bible, I had noticed a pure expression of love towards me and others. I remember her saying one day how the Holy Spirit had changed her and her response to very unpleasant situations to which her old self would have reacted negatively.

“A person that makes you new? That was outrageous!” I thought to myself.

But I could not deny the light that she carried. It was beckoning me to come, calling me to step out of darkness into light. I craved that which was powerful enough to change me positively, even at the root.

Before then, I had been raised to believe that Jesus was simply another prophet sent by Allah and not the Son of God, upon whom my salvation and the salvation of the entire world rest. No matter how many times I had asked for forgiveness before then, I was still drowning under the weight of my own sins, and no level of charitable works could save me.

So, when I learnt that Jesus had already borne my sins on the cross and that all I needed to do was believe, it seemed too good to be true. But it was not a trivial thing. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, although sinless, died a sinful death for our sakes.

I was confused and told myself that the Bible was not an accurate book anyway, but I could not run away from the Truth that confronted me. So, I turned to it and started asking questions. You see, the Truth does not disappear because you question it. The more you question it, the more it reveals itself as Truth. In this case, the more questions I had, the more Jesus revealed Himself to me, leading me to the Father.

On one fateful day in August 13 years ago, I surrendered to Him who loved me enough to die for my sins. He led me into the arms of the faithful Father, and it became the best decision I had ever made. I have come to know God as a good and loving Father through all situations and persecution.

God is not just a sovereign; He is also our heavenly Father, who loves us enough to save us from our sins and the consequences thereof. God does not want any of us to perish in hell. Hell is not a place for you. Jesus went down to hell after death so that you and I do not have to. God the Father loves you and wants to be your Father too.

Accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord goes beyond being a nominal Christian. You will also receive power and help through the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus every single day.

We might find ourselves at the feet of Jesus through different routes, but only Jesus is the Way to the Father.

Where is the light of Christ beckoning you to step out of darkness today?

What questions have you been afraid to bring to the Truth? The Truth does not disappear because you question it.

Is Jesus your personal Way to the Father, or only part of what you were raised to believe?