Yahya (John) is known as a prophet in Islam. Share the amazing story of his birth and how he reacted (even in the womb!) to the coming Messiah.

 

Starting with Ibrahim, Jesus's genealogy is traced through Joseph (Yusuf) to show that he is of the line of David (Daoud). This is in keeping with prophecy given in Isaiah. The account of Jesus's miracle conception by the Holy Spirit, with no physical union, is then recorded. This chapter ends with saying that Jesus would be called Immanuel: "God with us."

Jesus is born, and God calls shepherds and Magi to worship him. The Jewish people are living under foreign rule, and the King, furious to hear that their King has been born, orders mass murder of Jewish boys 2 years old and under. Yusuf is warned in a dream to escape. He takes Jesus to Egypt, where they stay until the angel calls them to return. Note: Nabaoith and Kedar, named in Isaiah 60, are descendants of Ishmael. See Genesis 25:13 and 1 Chronicles 1:29

In these passages, we see Jesus described as the Word of God, the Light of the world, the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the ladder or stairs between heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12). We also see that Jesus will baptize with "the Holy Spirit and fire." Pray for your friend and ask God to open their eyes to receive. 

In Luke 4 and Matthew 4, we read two accounts of what happened after Jesus's baptism: he was led into the wilderness to be tested for 40 days. When he returns, he begins his public ministry. Luke records some of the miracles he did after the wilderness, while Matthew tells us the words Jesus taught. Both men wrote by the Spirit of God, having been chosen to record the good news of Jesus al-Masih (2 Peter 1:20-21 and 2 Timothy 3:16). 

Jesus tells Nicodemus he has to be born again, then tells him that he is like the bronze snake lifted up in the desert. We won't see Nicodemus's response until much later. Jesus goes on to perform great signs...and explains why. The religious leaders begin to rise up against him, angry that he has healed on the Sabbath. Jesus says that God is at work on the Sabbath, so he will be also. Their hate grows. He delivers one of the most pointed phrases of Scripture: "I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you." Later, Jesus announces that he is the good shepherd, and has come to lay down his life for his sheep. Questions about him increase.