Once the Most High commanded Abraham to offer his son in sacrifice and Abraham proved his faith by his obedience to his Maker's command. He was willing to sacrifice as he was commanded, even believing that the Almighty would resurrect his son from death, if need be. Though a ram was provided as a substitute for his son at the last moment, Abraham was counted righteous for his obedient faith and submission.
Through Moses, the Most High commanded the children of Israel to kill the Passover Lamb and put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts. By this means the firstborn sons of Israel were spared from death, though all the firstborn sons of Egypt perished because they had not the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.
On the last Passover before Yahshua was taken up to heaven, the Jews intended to put him to death. Knowing he was under the threat of death, he crossed the brook Kedron (named for Kedar, son of Ishmael -John 18:1), and in submission to Allah, prayed in the garden of Gethsemane: "not my will, but Thine be done". There in agony, as he earnestly prayed, he sweat great drops of blood. In fulfillment of the Law of Moses, that blood made the atonement for all who call upon the Creator in Truth (Leviticus 17:11).
John the Baptist (Yahya, son of Zakariya) said of Yahshua (Isa):
I realize that most Muslims do not believe as most Christians do concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Yahshua. The reason for this is that the Quran states that, contrary to the boast of the Jews: "they killed Him not, nor crucified Him, only a likeness of that was shown to them" [4:157].
Whereas the Quran affirms that the Law given to Moses and the Gospel given to Yahshua are truly from Allah, yet many Muslims do not accept the doctrine of blood sacrifice and vicarious atonement for sin that runs throughout the Bible. Therefore there is great difficulty reconciling our beliefs in order to accept the Quran's statement that we all are of one Faith and the same LORD.
I point to the fact that all Christians recognize the incident of Abraham's trial (where he was commanded by Allah to offer his son as a sacrifice) as being the clearest type and foreshadow in the Old Testament of the intended crucifixion of Jesus on the cross.
Yet in this foreshadow, there WAS a substitution made: a ram was sacrificed instead of Abraham's son, and Abraham was still counted faithful and true for his total submission and obedient intent to make the sacrifice.
So Yahshua was Faithful and True in the same way as Abraham for submitting His will to Allah in Faith such that he would even suffer a shameful death on the cross, if Allah so willed. The drops of Blood He sweat in the garden (Luke 22:44) are enough to cleanse all believers of sin (according to the Law of Moses), whether one believes in the likeness of crufixion that was shown then or not.
The Quran's statement that "they killed him not" can also be interpreted in the light of Yahshua's words: "No man takes my life from me, but I lay it down of myself" John 10:18. What took place on the cross was not the Jew's accomplishing the murder of Yahshua, but his submission to the Will of Allah.
They could NEVER kill the Word of Allah! but He was willing, perfectly willing to suffer and die for the sins of the world, if Allah so determined. It is His obedient Faith that won the victory in Allah's grace for all creation!
In fact, since Ezekiel 18:4 specifies that only "the soul that SINS shall die", it was not possible that Jesus could have died, since he never sinned ! Several verses in the New Testament bear witness that what actually died on the cross was SIN, the writ of our transgression against the law, enmity to the Law, our old man crucified with that the body of sin might be destroyed, the likeness of sinful flesh (2Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:14, Ephesians 2:15,16, Romans 6:6; 8:3)
The Quran acknowledges that Yahshua was a messenger of Allah, and His Word that He bestowed on Mary, a Spirit proceeding from Him [4:171]. All people of Faith should realize that Allah's Word never fails in His purpose!
The purpose of the Messiah was to fulfill the Law of Blood sacrifice and show forth the example of total submission to Allah's Will. This He accomplished by the grace of Allah and the power of His Spirit.
While Christians emphasize that Jesus is the Word of Allah made flesh, they also acknowledge that he was a man, as the Quran also states.
It was as a man in fact, that Yahshua won his greatest victory: in his humble submission to Allah's Will, despite the grievous cost to Himself, Yahshua conquered death for all men who follow Him.
Christians seek to follow His example and that submission He embodied is the very essence of Islam.
Therefore, let there be Goodwill and Understanding between true Christians and true Muslims: we know Allah will judge us all, for we are commanded to mutually encourage one another to persevere in good works, living peaceably with all men as much as is possible.
Let us work together in the cause of the Truth against the unbelievers and anti-Christs, proclaiming Allah's loving Goodwill toward man, and the awful wrath that awaits the wicked who deny His Goodness.
In submission to Allah and in obedience to the Book in its entirety, we send these tidings to all people of Faith. For the hope of all creation, let us come to common terms and understanding: we worship none but Allah, exalted in Power, the Wise. His Word shall reign forever. Peace and blessing to all who respond in Goodwill. Alhamdulillah HalleluYah!
3:2,3 "Allah! There is no God but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, the Supporter of all. It is He who sent down to thee in Truth the Book, confirming that which went before it, and He sent down the Torah (the Law) and the Gospel."
5:44 It was We who revealed the Torah to Moses: therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the Prophets who bowed to Allah's Will...
46 and in their footsteps we sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Torah that had come before him: we sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light... 47 Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are those who rebel. 48. To thee We sent the Scripture (Quran) in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an Open Way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single People, but His plan is to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute"
54. O ye who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him, lowly with the Believers, Mighty against the Rejecters, Fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the Grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.
5:65 If only the People of the Book (Bible) had believed and been righteous, we should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to Gardens of Bliss.
66. If only they had stood fast by the Torah, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord... There is from among them a party of the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil... Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.
68. Say "O People of the Book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Torah, the Gospel and the revelation that has come to you from your Lord.
5:82 Strongest among men in enmity to the (Muslim) Believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the Believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning, and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant...
16:97 Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, Verily, to him will We give a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.
29:46 and dispute ye not with the People of the Book (Bible believers), except in the best way, unless it be with those of them who do wrong. But say, "We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us AND IN THAT WHICH CAME DOWN TO YOU; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we submit".