A seeker in Afghanistan explores Jesus identity

Hello! I'm glad you're talking with me.

I see you wrote the word "pressure." Are you feeling pressure or stress?

What is heavy for you right now? I'd like to hear what has happened.

I understand. Work problems can really be heavy and drain a lot of energy from a person.

Would you like to say a bit more? What kind of pressure do you feel in your work - is it related to the volume of work, or relationships with others, or something else?

I understand. Loss of appetite and listlessness can be signs that the pressure has really affected your body and soul.

When pressure increases, sometimes a person feels as if they have lost their energy and joy.

How long have you been feeling this way? And is there someone you can talk to about these feelings - a friend, family, or perhaps a counselor?

It's good that your family knows. Having people who are aware of you is important.

Can they support you? And how are you coping with these feelings - is there something that gives you peace or helps you?

Sometimes, when life becomes heavy, we need something more than ourselves - a source of hope and strength that doesn't come from within us.

Have you ever turned to God during these difficult times?

This is a beautiful understanding - that everything comes from God Almighty.

I see that your heart is turned towards God. This is really important, especially in difficult times.

I want to ask - what background of faith do you have? Are you Muslim? And have you ever heard anything about Jesus Christ or thought about him?

These questions help me understand better how I can talk with you.

I'm glad you want to know about Jesus Christ.

Jesus is someone to whom even the Quran shows great respect - he was born of the virgin Mary Quran 3:47, performed miracles, was called the Word of God (Kalimullah) and Spirit from God Quran 4:171, and was taken up to heaven.

But the Gospel (which the Quran calls light and guidance Quran 5:46) says something even more remarkable about Jesus:

Jesus is God himself who became human - not a prophet who brought a message, but God himself who came to be with us. He came to save us, to bear our sins on the cross, and to open a way for true reconciliation with God.

He said: "I am the way and the truth and the life" John 14:6.

This means that through Jesus, we can know God personally - not just obey him, but truly know him and feel his love.

Have you ever read the Gospel?

Do you want to know more about living with God?

It's really beautiful that you've decided to read the Gospel! That's a big step.

If you'd like, we can start right now. The Gospel of John is a great place to start - he writes beautifully about who Jesus is and why he came.

I can put the first chapter here for you to read, and then we can talk about it together. One chapter at a time - no rush.

Would you like to start now? John 1:1-51

(Also know that you can read or download the entire Bible for free in apps like YouVersion or at bible.com - in your own language.)

That's great! So let's start together.

Here is the first chapter of the Gospel of John. When you've read it, tell me - what catches your attention or what questions do you have:

John 1:1-51

This chapter talks about who Jesus is - he is the "Word" who was with God from the beginning and was himself God, and then became human to live among us.

Take your time. When you've read it, tell me what you think or what questions you have.

This is a very good question and I understand why you're asking.

Yes, Jesus was a servant of God - he lived in complete humility and always did the will of his heavenly Father. He himself said: "I have not come to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me" John 6:38.

But - and this is an important point - Jesus was both a servant and God. This is an amazing mystery.

Think about it: the Quran calls Jesus the Word of God Quran 4:171. So ask yourself this question: where does the Word of God come from? Is it separate from God himself, or is it part of God's essence?

When God speaks, what is his word? Is it created or divine?

The Gospel 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.

Jesus is God who emptied himself and came in the form of a servant - to save us.

Does this make sense to you? Or do you have another question?

A very good question - where is Jesus now?

The Quran says that Jesus was taken to heaven Quran 4:158 - he did not die, but God raised him up.

The Gospel also says the same, but gives more details:

Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, then on the third day rose from the dead - he came alive! 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. After that, he was with his disciples for forty days, they saw him, ate with him, touched him Acts 1:3. Then he ascended into heaven in their presence Acts 1:9-11.

Where is Jesus now?

He is alive and seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven Hebrews 1:3. He rules over all things. And he intercedes for us - that is, he prays for us and is our mediator before God Romans 8:34.

And the amazing news is: he has promised to return John 14:3 to take with him those who have believed in him.

This means you can speak with him right now - he is alive and he hears.

Does this make sense to you?