GREAT MEN ARE KNOWN BY THE WAY THEY TREAT THOSE WHO ARE LESSER THAN THEM IN STATUS, STATURE AND POWER. When Comparing Muhammad, Gautama Buddha And Jesus We Actually Learn A Lot About Those Who Kill, Those Who Flee And Those Who Provide Solutions. For one says that I hate this problem therefore I will destroy its source, one says I hate this problem therefore I will flee and one says that this problem needs a solution, therefore I will provide it.

How would the likes of Jesus Christ, Muhammad and Gautama Buddha introduce themselves to strangers?

Harry Riches answer requested by Anonymous

I cannot speak for Muhammad or Buddha, personally. I know Lord Jesus Christ and I can tell you about my experiences since I have met Him (a few are found here). Instead, I will point to what the Bible states regarding Jesus.

In a telling example, the tax collectors sought to collect tax from Jesus, and Peter was taught an important lesson. One that is worthy also of our thinking.

• When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?” He said, “Yes.”When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?” Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. (Matthew 17:24-26)

People who are in power look after their own children but they exact taxes and tribute from those they do not know—strangers.

Interestingly, Jesus did not seek to tax any who disagreed with his views. Jesus did not introduce a tax such as the jizyah (a per capita yearly tax historically levied by Islamic states on certain non-Muslim subjects—dhimmis—permanently residing in Muslim lands under Islamic law [1] ). The Romans had a tax that had to be paid by the inhabitants of the land. And Caesar may have presented as if he was God or a god or even as God’s spokesman. But Caesar was not the Son of God, who was God Himself in human form.

• [Jesus] existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6–8)

Strangers are unknown individuals. However, when it come to Lord Jesus Christ, everybody is known by Him. This is because He is the One who searches the hearts of every person to see whether they are genuine when they call upon Him. Before He came to Earth, the Son of God searched the hearts of every person that lived. Now that the Son of God is resurrected from the dead (Romans 1:4), He still searches everyone’s hearts to see whether each one is genuine.

• Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give an account. (Hebrews 4:11–13)
• You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for The Lord searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)
• He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because He makes intercession for the saints according to God . (Romans 8:27)
• I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. (Revelation 2:23)

Clearly, no one is a stranger in that he or she is unknown by Lord Jesus Christ, for the very thoughts and intentions of each one’s heart is laid bare before Him. This does not mean that God is hard to please or that people have to perform works to please Him.

C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity:

• As a great Christian writer (George MacDonald) pointed out, every father is pleased at the baby’s first attempt to walk: no father would be satisfied with anything less than a firm, free, manly walk in a grown-up son. In the same way, he said, “God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.”

From what I have read and understand of Islam, those who do not convert. who become dhimmis, have to pay a tax. They are strangers to Islam.

What I understand of the Buddha is that he would not want to place an imposition on any person and would advise people that the best thing to do is to avoid suffering.

What I understand of Lord Jesus Christ is that if we are genuine in seeking entrance to the Kingdom of God, He will welcome us and empower us to have the faith to believe that God can do the impossible. In my case, that was to change me from a contemptible scumbag into a person who desires the best for other people, in that they might discover the joy that I have been given. On the one hand, Jesus is easy to please, for all we have to do is forgive others for what they have done to us, but in order to satisfy Him, we need to be genuine in allowing Him to work His wonders in our lives.

As for how Muhammad or Buddha or Lord Jesus would introduce themselves to strangers, I do not know really. But many are going to be very pleased on that day when Jesus said that when they did good to the least of the weak, the sick, and those who are imprisoned, they did it to Him, even though He was a stranger to them. However, because Jesus is able to evaluate the hearts of everyone, those people who cared for the suffering and unfortunate are not strangers to Him (Matthew 25.31-44).

The Lord Of Life Loves All Who Seek Him Out Earnestly So He Can Bless Them

Footnotes

[1] http://Jizya - Wikipedia, the fr...