What Would a Prophet’s Job Description Look Like, and How Did Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) Fit Into It?
As a Muslim who was raised in a mostly Christian society, I was reflecting on the Bible the other day. It struck me that the New Testament was compiled after Jesus’s time, and the Old Testament was written about 1000 years before his birth. He was born Jewish, lived as a Jew, and passed away as one. He didn’t directly set up Christianity or put together the Bible as we see it now. Creating a new faith wasn’t his aim. He’s truly remarkable in many ways-every prophet has their unique qualities, but his case feels distinct. So, what divine message did he share? Who conveyed God’s message to him? I recall something about two angels visiting him, but not to bring a revelation-one was there to support him during the crucifixion, if I remember correctly. Basically, I’m wondering: if prophethood were a job, what would the core responsibilities be, and which ones did Jesus (peace be upon him) carry out? I’m not questioning his status as a prophet at all; it’s just that the word ‘prophet’ means messenger, so it’s a matter of clarification. It’s been ages since I’ve reconnected with Christian teachings, and I’ve forgotten many details, so maybe I once knew this but can’t recall now.