Christianity is the largest religion with an estimated total of one billion followers. Despite this large-scale spread, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, expanding 235 percent in the last fifty years and is also the second largest religion in the world (Islamic Web, n.d.b). Both of these religions are known for the prophets who helped create them; Jesus and Mohammed. In this paper, I will attempt to compare and contrast their lives, messages, and impact on their religions today.
Between 6-5 B.C., Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in a Bethlehem stable (BibleNet, 2001). He received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh from the Magi, known as the three wise men, which symbolized his divinity. Not much further can be found until Jesus turned twelve. His parents took him to the temple in Jerusalem for Passover. When they left Jerusalem, Jesus stayed without his parents’ knowledge. Upon discovering that he wasn’t with them, Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem only to search another three days for their son.
When they found him, he was discussing God’s teachings with teachers of God’s word. The teachers were amazed at how well he understood God and his answers to their questions. His parents asked him why he stayed behind, to which he answered, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49. Once again, there is a pause in the bible concerning Jesus’ life as a young adult until about A.D. 26 when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, a prophet who spread the teachings of Isaiah concerning the “coming Kingdom of God” (Fisher, 2005).
After his baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness by God and fasted for forty days. Sat ...