Our prayer is that these few words from the teachings of Jesus will live in your heart. These are only a few of his teachings, but they are filled with light and truth. We pray that God will bless you through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
FASTING
Some people believe that Christians, followers of Jesus, do not fast. Fasting is not eating food so you can think and pray better. This is not true. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to fast, and it is an important part of our faith and prayers. However, Jesus Christ taught us to fast without making a show of it in public. Here are his words:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6.16-18
We also read of the earliest followers of Jesus fasting as they prayed:
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts of the Apostles, 13.2-3
Fasting is a necessary and helpful part of our prayers. As followers of Jesus, we are not given laws about how to fast. We fast when we have something of great importance to pray about. We can fast by ourselves, or as a group. God gives us freedom to choose.
WHAT DOES THE QUR’AN SAY ABOUT JESUS?
We would invite our Muslim friends to consider very carefully how the Qur’an speaks of Jesus. Surely, it is worth the time to carefully read and meditate in prayer on the words of Jesus Christ. Here are some of the ways Jesus Christ is talked of in the Qur’an: the son of the virgin Mary, a holy son, a sign for all creatures, Apostle of God, Spirit of God, Word of God, Word of truth, Messiah (al-Masih). What can such wonderful names and statements mean? Ninety times the Qur’an talks of Jesus. By calling Jesus the Messiah and Word of God the Qur’an shows Jesus to be in a very great position in the religion of Islam. We simply invite our Muslim friends to look for themselves at the teachings and life of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel. This record has been kept safe by the Spirit of God and the angels of God, for God’s word cannot be changed. Is Jesus Christ not worthy of more study and meditation by all people? Do not allow people to prevent you from seeing the whole truth. Let the words of Jesus speak to you.