Death and Resurrection
The Death of Allah's Promised Messiah () was Predicted by Scripture
We have seen in the previous lesson that Prophet Isa's life was in total agreement and fulfillment of the prophecies about the coming perfect . Both his life and teachings pointed to the fact that he was the true Messiah (or al-Masih) Allah would send to save his people from their sins. Yet, some of the most important predictions concerning the Messiah to come dealt not with his life but with his death. We saw in an earlier lesson that the coming Messiah was to be sinless. Hence, he would not have to die for his own sins. Yet, according to Allah's plan he would be punished and killed for the sins of others. As the prophet (Isaiah) wrote over 700 years before the birth of Isa,
Surely he took up our infirmities, and bore our sorrows, yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; everyone has turned to his own way; and Allah has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Taurat, 53:4-6)
The Messiah was to suffer and die for the sins of others.
The previous Scriptures predicted the death of the Messiah and the reason for that death. The Scriptures also predicted many details about that death. Thus, it was prophesied that the Messiah would not defend himself from the false charges brought against him. He would be silent before his accusers,
He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. As a sheep before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Taurat, 53:7)
It was prophesied in the holy that he would be betrayed by one of his own followers,
Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. ( 41:9)
According to Scripture, his betrayer was to receive 30 pieces of silver from Isa's enemies for betraying him,
I said to them, “If you think it best, give me my wages; and if not, keep them.“ So they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver. (Taurat, 11:12)
According to the , anyone who was killed by crucifixion, by being hung on a tree or cross, was under Allah's curse,
If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree; his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him the same day; for anyone who hangs on a tree is cursed of God; that you do not defile your land which Allah your God gives you for an inheritance. (Taurat, Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
It was prophesied that the Messiah (al-Masih) would undergo death by that very means thus taking on himself the curse of Allah that rightfully belongs to others,
Al-Masih redeemed us from the curse pronounced in the Taurat, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed,“ that the blessing of Ibrahim might come on the nations through al-Masih ‘Isa; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Injil, Galatians 3:13,14)
Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. ( 22:16)
It was further prophesied that the Messiah who would die as a criminal for the sins of others would be buried in the tomb of a rich man,
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. (Taurat, 53:9)
All these prophecies were made hundreds of years before the birth of Prophet Isa al-Masih. Let us look next at how these were fulfilled in Isa's life.
Prophet Isa taught that he would have to die
One of the most remarkable teachings of Isa was concerning his coming death. Despite the fact that he performed many signs and miracles, he always made it clear that the most important event in his life was still to come. Again and again throughout his life he tells his followers that "My time is not yet come." It was not until just before his death that he finally said, "The time has come". The real reason for his having come into this world was finally drawing near. The real reason was not that of performing miracles, healing the sick, or driving out evil spirits. They were all merely signs pointing to the fact that he was the Messiah who was to come. He himself knew that these were not the main things. He knew that the primary purpose of this coming to earth was to die. Isa's death was not an unexpected, sudden thing. It had been predicted by Allah through the prophets hundreds of years before his birth. He often told his disciples that he would have to die. He explained to them not only the fact that he would be killed, but also that he would conquer death, and after three days in the grave rise from the dead. He claimed that he had both the power to lay his life down and to take it up again. He said,
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (Injil, John 10:17, 18)
Yet, before his death his disciples were not able to understand these things.
At this point we're in a position to understand Isa's words that we saw in the last lesson. He said that the true sign he would give that he was Allah's Messiah was that of the prophet . As (pbuh) was in the fish's belly for three days and nights, so Isa would be in the Earth's belly three days and nights. Here he was again pointing to his death and resurrection. He says that the real proof he is the promised Messiah will be seen by the fact that he would die according to prophecy, be buried for three days, and then rise from the dead to conquer death.
The betrayal and arrest of Isa fulfilled Scripture
Let us look now at exactly what is recorded in the concerning Isa's death and resurrection. As was prophesied, it was one of his close disciples who betrayed him,
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: `He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
After he had said this, Isa was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." (Injil, John 13:18,21)
In fact, it was one of the 12 men Isa had personally chosen to travel with him and live with him. Further, as was prophesied, his betrayer, Judas Iscariot, received 30 pieces of silver from those who wanted to kill Isa.
The trial of Isa fulfilled Scripture
After his betrayal, Isa was brought to trial before the Roman governor. The charge that the religious leaders brought against him was blasphemy against Allah. According to the shariah in the of , the penalty of such a crime was stoning. However, the Roman authorities forbade the Jews from carrying out any punishments. They demanded that all trials be according to Roman law, which forbade stoning. Thus, the religious leaders who were accusing Isa of breaking the law were in their very charges breaking the law. Not only did they bring false charges against him, they also demanded his crucifixion in accordance with Roman law and contrary to the Law of . Thus, in attempting to condemn Isa according to the Law the religious leaders actually broke it themselves.
When brought before the Roman authorities, Isa made no attempt to defend himself, again in fulfillment of Scripture,
[Pilate the governor] went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Isa, but Isa gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Isa answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." (Injil, John 19:9-11)
Indeed, his purpose was not to defend himself, but rather to fulfill the purpose for which he had come and save people from their sins. The Roman authorities were unable to find any truth in the charges brought against him and therefore desired to free him. However, the crowd would not allow his release. In his desire to please the crowd and gain popularity with the people, the Roman governor delivered Isa over to the crowd to be killed as they demanded.
The punishment of Isa fulfilled Scripture
The actual crucifixion of Isa took place outside the city gates of Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha. Once again we see how this was in accord with Isa's coming. According to the Law of there was one special type of that was not offered at Allah's house but was killed outside the camp. It is written in the as follows,
Allah spoke to Musa and to Harun, saying, This is the statute of the law which Allah has commanded, saying, Speak to Bani-Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without spot, in which is no blemish, and on which never came yoke. You shall give her to Eleazar the priest, and he shall bring her forth outside of the camp, and one shall kill her before his face: and Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle her blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. One shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: and the priest shall take cedar-wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until evening. He who burns her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until evening.
A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up outside of the camp in a clean place; and it shall be kept for the congregation of Bani-Israel for a water for impurity: it is a sin-offering.
(Taurat, Numbers 19:1-9)
The "water for impurity" in this sacrifice was used to remove impurity and cleanse from sin. In just the same way, Isa was killed outside the city gates to remove impurity and cleanse from sin. It is recorded in the ,
The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Isa also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. (Injil, Hebrews 13:11, 12)
The actual crucifixion was carried out by Roman military, those who were experts at such work. All steps were taken to insure a swift and certain death. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross and he was left to hang until dead. To hasten death it was decided his legs should be broken, however, when soldiers came to break them it was found he was already dead. All this took place in broad daylight and was witnessed by a large crowd of bystanders. Finally, he was officially declared dead by Roman authorities and was placed in his tomb. As prophesied, the tomb was that of a rich man. It is written in the ,
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named , who had himself become a disciple of Isa. Going to Pilate, he asked for Isa's body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. (Injil, Matthew 27:57-60)
The religious leaders were afraid his followers would steal his body and therefore ask the Roman officials to place a guard at the tomb. Accordingly, the tomb was closed and sealed with a huge stone and a large Roman guard was stationed at the tomb. The religious leaders and Roman officials were thus satisfied that all necessary steps had been taken to insure no rumors could spread concerning any resurrection. His disciples, on the other hand, not understanding their Master's teaching concerning his death and resurrection, were bewildered and terrified by the crucifixion. They had no thought whatsoever that he might rise from the dead.
The victory of Isa over death fulfilled Scripture
We see then, that Scripture written hundreds of years before his birth predicted Isa's death and he himself had taught openly concerning it. It occurred exactly as he had said and as Scripture had foretold. Again, both Scripture and he himself had predicted his victory over death and resurrection from the dead three days after his death. Yet no one, not even his disciples, understood or believed it would happen. The following is the 's account of what happened,
Now on the first day of the week, Maryam Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom ‘Isa loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him!“
Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. For as yet they didn’t know that Al-Kitab says he must rise from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
But Maryam was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of ‘Isa had lain. They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?“
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.“ When she had said this, she turned around and saw ‘Isa standing, and didn’t know that it was ‘Isa.
‘Isa said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?“
She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.“
‘Isa said to her, “Maryam.“
She turned and said to him, “Rhabbouni!“ which is to say, “Teacher!“
‘Isa said to her, “Don’t cling to me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.‘”
Maryam Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when ‘Isa came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!“
But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.“
After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. ‘Isa came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, “As-Salam-u Alaikum.“ Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.“
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!“
‘Isa said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.“
Therefore ‘Isa did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that ‘Isa is al-Masih, Ibn Allah, and that believing you may have life in his name.
(Injil, John 20:1-18, 24-31)
Thus, exactly as had been predicted, Isa rose from the dead after three days in the tomb. The sign of the prophet was complete. At first his disciples who had not personally seen him refused to believe. However, he soon appeared to all of them and their last doubts were dispelled. In fact, for 40 days after his resurrection he went about openly teaching and preaching. There would be no mistake. His tomb was empty. He still bore the scars of the crucifixion on his hands and feet. The following is a brief record of those he appeared to after his resurrection, as found in the ,
and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, (Injil, 1 Corinthians 15:5-7)
His disciples were finally able to understand clearly the teaching of the and concerning the Messiah's life, death and resurrection. For the first time his teachings concerning his purpose in coming into the world was clear to them.
After rising from the dead, Isa preached for 40 days and was then taken to heaven by Allah
Finally, after openly preaching and teaching for 40 days his God-given task on earth was finished. For the last time he met with his disciples and gave them his final command. He told them to go into the entire world and preach and teach all people the things he had taught them. He gave them the promise that he would always be with them. Thus it is written,
Then Isa came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Injil, Matthew 28:18-20)
After giving them this last command in broad daylight before a large crowd Allah took him up into heaven. As is written,
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Isa, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Injil, Acts 1:9-11)
Thus, the earthly work of Isa the Messiah was finished. The material in this lesson has been taken totally from Allah's word. We have seen the prophecies of Prophet Isa's death and resurrection and how it was actually fulfilled in his life. We saw that this was the major purpose of his coming into the world. This now leads us to the question as to why his death and resurrection were so all important. We find the reason very clearly given in the . For example, in the start of Isa's ministry the prophet said upon seeing Isa,
The next day saw Isa coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of Allah, who takes away the sin of the world! (Injil, John 1:29)
Prophet understood that Isa was the prophesied that Allah was to send. Through this , Allah's grace would be available to all. As Allah's perfect it was necessary for Isa to die. In agreement with the of Prophet , Isa offered himself up. His blood was shed for the sins of others. As it is written,
Because al-Masih also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to Allah; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit (Injil, 1 Peter 3:18)
We see that his death and resurrection was the very heart and crux of his coming to earth. He was coming to be Allah's . He was coming to fulfill the promise made first to Adam and , then to Prophet , and then to various prophets and men of Allah through history. The promise was that Allah would make his grace available to all men. Prophet Isa al-Masih's death and resurrection were in total accord with the will and plan of Allah and was the key that unlocked the mercy and grace of Allah for millions and millions of people.
In future lessons we shall see how exactly we can be partakers in Allah's blessing to Prophet . We shall see how we can receive Allah's grace made available through the death and resurrection of .