Muslims believe that Jesus was a great prophet but he was just another prophet like all the other prophets and messengers.
Was He really the same as all the other messengers sent by God?
What does the evidence in the Bible say?
Jesus is greater than Solomon (Sulaiman) , the richest and wisest king who ever lived. He was unrivaled in honor in his wisdom and wealth, power and prestige and Jesus said, “…Now someone greater than Solomon is here–but you refuse to listen.” (Matthew 12:42)
Jesus is greater than Jonah (Yunus), who preached just once and the whole city of Nineveh was saved. An entire nation famed for its idolatry and sin, turned from paganism because of the words of Jonah. Jesus said, “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here–but you refuse to repent.” (Matthew 12:41)
[Note: Even Muhammad did not dare say that he was greater than Jonah. Abu Huraira reported: The messenger of Allah said: No servant should say that I am better than Jonah son of Mata. (Saihih Bukhari 3234)]
Jesus is greater than Moses (Musa), who was one of the the greatest prophets in Judaism, Islam and Christianity. He was the worker of miracles, liberator of Israel and Law-giver. Hebrews 3:3 says that “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses.”
Jesus is greater than Elijah (Ilyas) , he was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament and performed great miracles. During the transfiguration, when Moses And Elijah appeared, “Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” (Luke 9:35).
Jesus is greater than Jacob (Yakub), from whom came the nation of Israel.
When a Samaritan woman asked Jesus, “Are you greater than our father Jacob?” (John 4:12). Jesus replied by comparing the gift of Jacob’s well with the gift of eternal life He gives: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (see John 4:12-14)
Jesus is greater than David (Daud), the greatest king of Israel who ever lived. David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand. (Psalm 110:1). Jesus comments on this points out that David called the Messiah “my Lord” Matthew 22:45.
Jesus is greater than Abraham (Ibrahim), chosen by God as the father of the nation of Israel. Once when some Jews mocked Him by asking, “Are you greater than our father Abraham? Jesus response was not just shocking but blasphemous, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!” (John 8:58)
Jesus is greater than Adam, the first man created by God. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the UNCREATED divine man, came from heaven. (I Corinthians 15:47). Adam, the first man failed and succumbed to sin and death. Jesus overcame sin and death.
Jesus is greater than John the Baptist (Yahya), whom Jesus Himself declared to be more than a prophet. John the Baptist said, “Though his (Jesus) ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.” (John 1:27) and “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30
[Note: Jesus declared that John the Baptist (Yahya) was the greatest prophet ever born (Luke 7:28). Yet, John the Baptist admitted he was not even worthy to touch the sandals of Jesus. (John 1:27)
Is this a contradiction? Not if you understand WHO Jesus really is!. John was the last in the line of Old Testament prophets. He had the sole privilege of ushering the coming of God as man. (See Malachi 3:1)
Even the ancient prophets themselves had longed to see Jesus. How do we know this?
Jesus said: “Many PROPHETS and kings wanted to and longed to see HIM and hear HIS voice, but didn’t get the opportunity.” Luke 10:24
And in closing, here’s a passage from 1 Peter 1 that will blow your mind regarding the prophecies of salvation that the prophets of old preached about:
“10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you.
11 They wondered what time or situation the >>>Spirit of Christ<<< within them was talking about when He told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
WOW! The ancient prophets prophesied OUR salvation by the SPIRIT OF CHRIST within them! And they spoke about the suffering that Jesus had to go through.
Jesus Christ is ETERNAL. He used the prophets to speak His message.
Jesus said: “Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city” Matthew 23:34