Why Jesus?
Why Jesus and not other names or religions?
Good question, I don’t have all the answers, but for this matter, I can give as much information based on historical facts and witnesses.
Since I came from a Buddhist and Hindu background, I will explain the differences between these religions and Jesus the Christ.
Buddhism and Hinduism
Buddha the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, in what is now Nepal,[b] to royal parents of the Shakya clan, but renounced his home life to live as a wandering ascetic. At the age of 20, he left his palace and saw sufferings and starting seeking answers about universal suffering.
Buddhism and Hinduism are very similar in beliefs, they teach to try and be at peace with one another, not to be greedy, don’t hate each other, forgive each other, so the world can continue to be at peace.
Buddhism does not believe there is a god or deity, but there are supernatural figures that help or hinder people to reach enlightenment (Nirvana).
Reaching Enlightenment or Nirvana means that you no longer can rebirth or exist anymore (disappear).
In Hinduism, the number of gods is infinite, there is a god for everything. Rebirth is similar to Buddhism, the goal is to reach Moksha, no longer have to rebirth to human life, animal life, or into heavenly realms or hellish realms.
Islam
Islam was founded by Muhammad at the age of around 40 years old in round 600 AD, he started to have visions and hear voices from supposedly the angel Gabriel. This was the start of how Islam got their Quran.
Islam believes in Heaven, hell and punishments for those who rejected Allah and lived sinful lives.
Purpose in Life:
- Faith in Allah (Tawhid) and belief in the Prophets, especially Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- Perform righteous deeds, including acts of worship, charity, and kindness.
- Repentance and seeking forgiveness for sins, as Allah’s mercy is vast.
- Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in conduct and worship.
- Maintaining patience, gratitude, and Taqwa (God-consciousness).
- Ultimately, Allah’s mercy is the deciding factor for entering Paradise.
One gets into heaven with faith, good deeds and divine mercy and believe in the prophet Muhammad because on Judgement Day, Muhammad will intercede for one to get into Heaven.
(The part of getting virgins in heaven, may be a symbolic thing).
Judaism
Judaism was founded by Abraham and the prophet Moses with the Ten Commandments. Abraham’s name was Abram before he met God at around a hundred years old and God gave him a son through his wife Sarah, whose name was Sarai before meeting GOD as well. Through this son that God gave them in their old age, another seed was going to bless all the nations of the earth, this would be the Messiah or Christ the Chosen or anointed one. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022%3A18&version=KJV
In Judaism, one follows the 10 commandments that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. If you break one of the least of it, you have broken the whole commandment. Every year, one offers up sacrifices, including animals and possessions for your sins.
By Believing in God, keeping the commandments and obeying the prophets, is how one may enter into Heaven. Currently Jews that have not believed in Jesus as their Messiah is still waiting on their Messiah to come that they may follow him.
Jesus- Christian ( non- denominational)
Now, I will write why Jesus is different than all these religions. I know that there are other religions out there, but these are to me the giant religions of the world. I will explain the other religions that claim to be Christ followers as well, but are not, in a separate column.
According to Christianity, Jesus the Christ was conceived by a virgin named Mary. This part here separates Jesus from any one in this world, even Muhammad. Real Christians believe that Jesus came down from Heaven and lived as a man, sinless, perfect, and offered his life on the cross as a living sacrifice for the sins of the world. That anyone who believes in him and what he did for them on the cross, will be forgiven of their sins and have everlasting life. This is called being saved by grace and not by works, meaning, you are saved because of God’s love for you through his Son Jesus, for the forgiveness of sin and not something you did with your own strength or good deeds. This part also separates other religions from this faith, the closest one is Judaism, but they offering up animal sacrifices was a foreshadow of the real Lamb of God that was to come because no animal blood can truly forgive sin. As it is written in Hebrews 9:22 “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”, Jesus the Christ came as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
In other religions, none of the special figures could say, that they can forgive sin or promise eternal life, it is all hoping, like walking in the dark not knowing where you are going and trying to go home. Jesus taught that, after this life their will be judgement of those that believe in his word and those that didn’t. There will everlasting life and everlasting punishment of hell fire. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A41&version=KJV
If you want to compare how Jesus the Christ is not just another man, but God in the flesh, take a look at his attributes. He was born by a virgin, he was sinless, he performed many miracles, he casted out many devils, devils bow down to him. He forgives sins by dying on the cross and coming back to life again on the third day and went back up to Heaven on the clouds. He said he will return again the same way he went up to Heaven. He said, he will be the judge of the living and the dead on Judgement Day. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A31–33&version=KJV
His name has power against all evil forces, his followers have his Spirit in them, they can cast out devils with Jesus’ name, they can ask God to heal the sick.
In all the other religions or figures in the world, there is none that can forgive sins, that can promise everlasting life, if anything, the opposite like Nirvana, when you disappear out of existence. No other names that devils bow down to or can speak clearly about the way to Heaven.
So if you really dig into knowing who Jesus really is, you will know that, he is God Almighty and there is no one on this earth or in Heaven like Him. He is the Way the Truth and the Life.