The Unique Sacrifice of Hazoor Isa al-Masih

This blog post is a transcript of a teaching that someone made about Step #5 in our discipleship process, The Unique Birth of Hazoor Isa al-Masih. Click here to go to the previous step.

Aslammu Alakum, my friends.

In our previous teachings, I shared about the birth, miracles, and teachings of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. Many prophets prophesied the birth of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. Angels also came and told Hazrat Miriam (PBUH) and others about His birth. Hazrat Isa al-Masih was born of a virgin. He came into the world to save us from our sins through His death on the cross. Did any other prophet have a birth that special? Hazrat Isa al-Masih healed the sick and raised the dead. By His miracles, Hazrat Isa al-Masih showed His love towards sinners. He has such great authority and power that He can forgive sins and perceive our secret thoughts. Can any other prophet work so many miracles? Hazrat Isa al-Masih said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to God the Father except through me.” If we want to begin a relationship with God, then we must hear and obey the teaching of Hazrat Isa al-Masih.

So, Hazrat Isa al-Masih had a special birth, performed great miracles, and had a great teaching. But these are not the most special things about His life. The most special thing is that Hazrat Isa al-Masih gave His life on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He was buried and, three days later, He came back to life. He came out of His grave and ascended to heaven! Now Hazrat Isa al-Masih sits in heaven waiting until the day of judgement.

Today, I will share with you a story about the death of Hazrat Isa al-Masih from Matthew 27. He died on a cross for our sins. I will read part of the story, stop to comment, then read more, and stop to comment. 

31 After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him 32 As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced him to carry his cross. 33 When they came to a place called ‘Golgotha’ (which means Place of the Skull), 34 they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink. But when he tasted it, he refused to drink it. 

Although Hazrat Isa al-Masih did nothing wrong, the religious leaders hated Him. They arrested Him at night and lied about Him at trial so that they could put Him to death. The religious leaders did this because they were jealous and wanted people to follow them rather than Hazrat Isa al-Masih. However, this was the plan of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. He planned to die for your sins and for mine. When He was being arrested, He told His disciples not to worry, since He could call on an army of angels to come and save Him if that was His plan.

Let us return to the story from the Injeel Shareef.

35 After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and were guarding him there. 37 Above his head they put up the charge against him in writing: This Is Hazrat Isa al-Masih, the King of the Jews.

Crucifixion, or dying on a cross, was a horrible way to die. However, Hazrat Isa all-Masih did this because He loves us. You see, the Injeel Shareef teaches us that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Because of our sins, our relationship with God is broken. God is holy and perfect. We are sinful and broken. But, the Injeel Shareef also says that “God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Masih died for us” (Rom 5:8). The death of Hazrat Isa al-Masih was a sacrifice to pay for our sins. 

Moving forward in our story from the Injeel Shareef,

45 From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. 46 About three in the afternoon Hazrat Isa al-Masih cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me ?” 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. 49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 But Hazrat Isa al-Masih cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 

Many people stood and watched as Hazrat Isa al-Masih died. Some witnesses even tried to give Him wine, but Hazrat Isa al-Masih rejected it. There were many witnesses of His death. These people recognized something special was happening as Hazrat Isa al-Masih was dying on the cross; therefore, a large crowd stayed and watched. Even the weather recognized that something was happening; how else would it have been dark from noon until three in the afternoon? At the end of this time of darkness, our Khudawand Isa al-Masih died. He died for you and for me. 

51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Hazrat Isa al-Masih, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”  

Look at how powerful the effects of His death were! These verses show four powerful effects of the death of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. First, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn open. This curtain was in the holy place of worship in Jerusalem and separated the people from the presence of God. By the death of Hazrat Isa al-Masih, this curtain was destroyed, making a way for us to become close to God. Remember what Hazrat Isa al Masih said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to God the Father except through Me.” Hazrat Isa al-Masih provided a way for us to become close to God through His death.

Second, the death of Hazrat Isa al-Masih was so powerful that there was an earthquake! Before He died, the sky was darkened for three hours. Now on His death, the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The created world recognized the greatness of Hazrat Isa al-Masih. 

Third, the tombs of many saints in Jerusalem opened, and prophets came out to testify about Hazrat Isa al-Masih! Jerusalem has the tombs of many saints, like Hazrat Dawood (PBUH), Hazrat Suleiman (PBUH) and Hazrat Zechariah (PBUH). These saints came from their graves and testified that Hazrat Isa al-Masih is the Lord. (Do you want to say that these are specifically the people who came out of their tombs? That’s how this reads, but Scripture is not specific.)

Fourth, even the Roman solider, the centurion, who killed Hazrat Isa al-Masih testified, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” By calling Him the Son of God, this centurion did not believe that Hazrat Isa al-Masih was the physical Son of God, but rather the spiritual Son of God. The death of Hazrat Isa al-Masih was so powerful that even His enemies recognized His greatness when He died. 

Today, as you hear the story of the death of Hazrat Isa al-Masih, you also have a choice. Will you turn away from your sins and believe on the sacrifice of Khudawand Hazrat Isa al-Masih. Only He has been without sin. He was born without a father so that He would have a spiritual birth, a noorani birth. Because He was without sin, He could become the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, Hazrat Yahyah (PBUH) testified about Hazrat Isa al-Masih, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)!

Today, Hazrat Isa al-Masih wants to take away your sin so that you can become close to God. However, you must turn away from your sins and place your faith on Hazrat Isa al-Masih. I hope that you are ready to become His disciple today! 

Khuda Hafiz, my friends. 

Click here to go to the next teaching about Hazoor Isa al-Masih!