Part 9: The Cross: The Event Islam Denies but Christianity Proclaims
Why the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ Are the Foundation of the Gospel
At the centre of Christianity stands an event that changed history:
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The cross is not merely a symbol.
It is not simply an example of suffering.
It is not the tragic death of a religious teacher.
According to the Bible, the cross is where God accomplished the salvation of sinners.
The Apostle Paul declared:
> “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NASB)
Why did Paul place such importance on the cross?
Because without the cross there is no forgiveness.
Without the cross there is no salvation.
Without the cross there is no reconciliation with God.
The Cross Was God’s Plan From the Beginning
The Bible teaches that the death of Christ was not an accident or a failure.
It was God’s eternal plan.
Jesus said:
> “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NASB)
- Jesus knew why He came.
- He came to give His life.
- He came to bear sin.
- He came to save.
The prophet Isaiah had already foretold:
> “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The punishment for our peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NASB)
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Scripture pointed toward a suffering Messiah who would bear the sins of others.
The Lamb of God Who Takes Away Sin
The entire Old Testament sacrificial system pointed forward to Christ.
The sacrifices under the Law demonstrated that sin requires a payment.
Hebrews explains:
> “Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22 NASB)
But the blood of animals could never ultimately remove sin.
Those sacrifices were a shadow pointing to the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
John the Baptist identified Jesus:
> “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NASB)
Jesus was not merely another prophet.
He was the fulfilment of God’s promise to provide the final sacrifice for sin.
Jesus Voluntarily Gave His Life
A common misunderstanding is that Jesus was defeated by His enemies.
But Jesus taught the opposite.
He said:
> “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” (John 10:18 NASB)
The cross was not something that happened against Jesus’ will.
It was something He willingly accomplished.
His love for sinners led Him to the cross.
The Islamic Denial of the Crucifixion
Islam rejects the biblical teaching that Jesus was crucified.
The Qur’an states:
> “They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him—but it was made to appear so to them.” (Qur’an 4:157)
This creates one of the greatest differences between Islam and Christianity.
The New Testament writers repeatedly testify that Jesus was crucified.
The crucifixion is recorded in all four Gospels.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
> “For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3 NASB)
The apostles did not preach that Jesus escaped death.
They preached that Jesus conquered death.
Why Denying the Cross Changes the Gospel
The cross is not a minor doctrine.
It is the heart of salvation.
If Jesus did not die:
Sin was not paid for.
The sacrifice was not offered.
Redemption was not accomplished.
The Gospel message collapses.
Paul wrote:
> “But if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17 NASB)
The resurrection depends on the death.
A resurrection without a real death is meaningless.
The Resurrection: Christianity Stands or Falls Here
Christianity is unique because it is built upon the historical claim that Jesus physically rose from the dead.
The apostles did not preach a philosophy.
They preached an event they claimed to have witnessed.
Peter declared:
> “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:32 NASB)
Paul wrote:
> “He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now.” (1 Corinthians 15:6 NASB)
The resurrection proves:
Jesus is who He claimed to be.
His sacrifice was accepted by the Father.
Death has been defeated.
Eternal life is available.
The Empty Tomb Matters
If Jesus remained dead, Christianity would have ended immediately.
The disciples would have had no reason to proclaim a risen Christ.
But something happened that transformed fearful followers into bold witnesses.
They proclaimed:
> “God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:24 NASB)
The resurrection is God’s declaration that Jesus is victorious.
A Different Jesus Means a Different Gospel
Paul warned:
> “For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached… you bear this beautifully.” (2 Corinthians 11:4 NASB)
A Jesus who did not die for sin is not the Jesus preached by the apostles.
A Jesus who did not rise from the dead is not the Jesus of Scripture.
The biblical Jesus is:
- The eternal Son of God.
- The Creator who became flesh.
- The Lamb who died for sinners.
- The risen Lord who conquered death.
The Cross Reveals God’s Love
The cross is not evidence that God abandoned Jesus.
The cross is evidence of God’s love.
Paul wrote:
> “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NASB)
God did not wait for humanity to become worthy.
He acted while we were still sinners.
That is grace.
The Invitation of the Cross
The message of the cross is an invitation.
God does not call sinners to save themselves.
He calls sinners to trust the Saviour He has provided.
Paul wrote:
> “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB)
Reconciliation with God is available because Christ paid the price.
Conclusion
The cross is where Christianity and Islam part ways most clearly.
Islam denies the event that Christianity declares to be the centre of salvation.
The Bible proclaims:
Jesus truly died.
Jesus died for our sins.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose bodily from the dead.
Jesus offers eternal life as a free gift.
The question every person must answer is:
What will you do with Jesus Christ?
Will you trust the One who died and rose again?
Or will you follow a different message about Him?
Jesus said:
> “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” (John 11:25 NASB)
Coming Next: Part 10 — Radical Islam and the Question of Religious Freedom
Examining Islamic Law, Apostasy, Jizya, and the Difference Between True Peace and Submission
The next chapter will examine what radical Islamist movements teach regarding Christians, Jews, and Muslims who reject their interpretation of Islam, while distinguishing between individual Muslims and ideological systems.
