A seeker in Libya explores Jesus identity

This is a deep and beautiful question! And I'm happy that you're thinking about it.

Many people throughout history have come to believe in God's existence through different ways. Some look at the universe around us - the amazing complexity in nature, the order in creation, human consciousness - and see that all of this points to a wise Creator.

And some experience God in a personal way - through answered prayers, or inner peace, or real change in their lives.

And the Bible says that "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" Psalms 19:1 - meaning that creation itself testifies to His existence.

But I want to understand more where you're coming from in this question:

What made you ask about God's existence today?

What a wonderful question! This is one of the most important questions we can ask - why are we here?

The Bible gives us a beautiful and deep answer: God created us for relationship with Him, and to reflect His image in the world.

In the beginning, the Bible says: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them" Genesis 1:27. This means we are special - we have the ability to love, create, choose, and have relationship with our Creator.

God didn't create us because He needed us, but from the overflow of His love - He wanted to share His life and love with us. Like a loving father who wants children to love and care for, not because he needs them but because love by nature gives.

And the deeper purpose? To know Him, love Him, and live in communion with Him - not just now, but forever. Jesus said: "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" John 17:3.

Do you sometimes feel that there is a deeper meaning to life that you're searching for?

Thank you for sharing this sincerely. This is something beautiful and important - to feel comfort and reassurance when you draw near to God through His word.

God speaks to our hearts in many ways. And the Quran itself speaks about God's word in a distinctive way - it calls Jesus the Messiah "the Word of God" and "a spirit from Him" Surah An-Nisa 4:171. This is a title that was not given to any other prophet.

And the beautiful thing: the Quran tells us that the Gospel is also guidance and light from God. It says: "And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him of the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel in which was guidance and light" Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:46.

If you feel comfort when hearing God's word, that is beautiful. The question that arises: Have you read the Gospel yourself?

The Quran encourages this - it tells the People of the Book to establish the Torah and the Gospel Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:68, and even tells Muhammad himself to ask those who read the Scripture before him Surah Yunus 10:94.

What do you think - are you open to exploring what the Gospel says about Jesus, the Word of God?

Yes, with pleasure! Jesus son of Mary is an exceptional and very distinctive figure.

Let me share his story with you as the Gospel tells it:

His Miraculous Birth: Jesus was born to Mary the Virgin without a human father - by the power of God alone. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary, saying: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the holy child born of you will be called the Son of God" Luke 1:35.

His Life and Miracles: Jesus taught people about God's love and forgiveness. He healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, and fed thousands with five loaves and two fish. But his greatest miracle was not in extraordinary deeds, but in changing hearts.

His Unique Identity: Jesus did not merely say he was a prophet - but said things that no other prophet has said. He said: "I and the Father are one" John 10:30, and "whoever has seen me has seen the Father" John 14:9. He taught that whoever believes in him has eternal life John 3:16.

Before I continue - have you heard before about how Jesus' life on earth ended? And what do you know about it?

Yes, exactly! Mary is a holy and greatly blessed woman. And God chose her in a special way for this great role.

The story as you tell it is correct - when the angel announced to her that she would conceive, she was amazed and said: "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" Luke 1:34. And the angel answered her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her.

And Mary - with great faith - accepted and said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word" Luke 1:38.

The important thing here: This miraculous birth shows that Jesus is not an ordinary man. All the other prophets were born in a natural way from a father and mother. But Jesus - the Word of God - came in a completely unique way.

The Quran also confirms this and calls him "the Word of God" and "a spirit from Him" Surah An-Nisa 4:171.

A question for you: If Jesus is the Word of God, what does this mean in your opinion? Who is he really?

A very clever question! This shows that you are reading carefully.

The word used in the original Gospel (in Greek) is a word that means "I do not know a man" - and this was a respectful and polite expression used at that time to refer to the marital relationship.

Mary was asking: How can I conceive when I am a virgin who has not married and have not had a marital relationship with a man?

And the meaning is clear: Mary was a pure virgin, and the pregnancy was a complete miracle from God - without any human intervention at all.

The Quran confirms the same thing when Mary says: "How can I have a boy when no human has touched me?" Surah Maryam 19:20 - exactly the same meaning.

Both texts - the Gospel and the Quran - affirm Mary's purity and that Jesus' birth was a sign from God.

And the deeper question: Why did God choose this unique way to send Jesus - His Word - to the world? What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity?

Thank you for this clarification - I understand what you mean now. You're saying that the word "human" in the Quran includes the child and the elderly old man as well, not just the adult man capable of marriage.

This is correct! And the meaning in both texts is exactly the same: Mary was never touched by any human at all - not an adult man, not a child, not an old man, and not any human being.

The Bible and the Quran agree completely: Mary was a pure virgin, and the pregnancy with Jesus was a complete miracle from God alone - without any human intervention.

And this leads us to the most important question:

Why this unique miracle?

All the prophets - Adam (created from dust), Abraham, Moses, David, Muhammad - they were all born in a natural way from a father and mother. But Jesus alone came in this exceptional way.

The Quran calls him "the Word of God" and "a Spirit from Him" Surah An-Nisa 4:171. And the Bible says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" John 1:1 John 1:14.

Are you ready to explore who Jesus truly is - not just a prophet, but the Word of God who became human?

Excellent! I'm pleased that we understand each other.

Now let us explore together who Jesus truly is - this is the most important question.

Jesus - the Word of God who became flesh:

The Quran gives Jesus titles that it did not give to any other prophet:

• the Word of God Surah Ali 'Imran 3:45
• a Spirit from Him Surah An-Nisa 4:171
• Born from a virgin Surah Ali 'Imran 3:47
• Performed great miracles Surah Ali 'Imran 3:49
• Raised to heaven Surah An-Nisa 4:158

The Bible explains these titles with greater clarity:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" John 1:1 John 1:14.

In other words: the Word of God is not merely a message - it is God Himself speaking and revealing Himself. And this Word became human in the person of Jesus.

Jesus Himself said amazing things that no prophet said:

• "I and the Father are one" John 10:30
• "Before Abraham was, I am" John 8:58

A question for you: If the Word of God and His Spirit entered the world - where did they go if not in Jesus?

Yes, God knows - and this is a humble and beautiful answer.

But the good news is: God did not leave us in darkness! Rather, He revealed Himself and showed us the truth.

The Quran itself tells us that the Gospel contains "guidance and light" Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:46, and encourages the People of the Book to uphold the Torah and the Gospel Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:68. Indeed, it says to Muhammad: "So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you" Surah Yunus 10:94.

The Gospel gives us clear answers about Jesus - not from human speculation, but from God's own word.

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" John 14:6. And He said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" John 8:12.

God knows - yes. But He wanted to teach us, so He sent His word - Jesus - to reveal to us who God is and how we can know Him.

Have you read the Gospel yourself before? Or do you know it only through what others say about it?

Thank you very much! I'm glad this touches your heart.

And the truth is that the most beautiful thing is to read God's word yourself directly - not through me or through what others say, but you and God's word face to face.

The Gospel is not a difficult or complicated book - rather it is a story of God's love for humanity, and how Jesus came to reunite us with God.

I advise you to start with the Gospel of John - it is one of the four Gospels that tell the life and teachings of Jesus, and it is clear and very beautiful. It begins with these powerful words: "In the beginning was the Word..." John 1:1-51.

If you don't have a copy of the Gospel, you can:

• Download a free app like YouVersion or read it on bible.com
• Or if you'd like, I can share the chapters here with you one by one as we read together

What do you think - are you ready to read the Gospel of John? And do you need help accessing it?

Masha'Allah! This is wonderful — reading and memorizing on your own shows genuine seriousness and a true longing to know the truth.

Memorizing God's Word is something beautiful and blessed. The Bible says: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" Psalms 119:11. When we memorize God's Word, it becomes part of us, guiding us and illuminating our path.

So you are ready for the beginning of this beautiful journey!

Do you have a Bible copy now? You can download the YouVersion app for free — it has the complete Bible in Arabic and in many languages, and you can read, listen, and memorize.

Or if you prefer, I can start with you here — I'll give you the entire first chapter of John, and after you read it and reflect on it, we'll discuss it and then move on to the second chapter, and so on.

Which way do you prefer? And do you want to start now?