Page 71 - Demo

67Of course, it goes without saying, both the Jews and Christians believe this blessing to be one of the foremost Messianic prophecies. That Jesus (pbuh) , the Prophet of Nazareth, is a Christ or Messiah no Muslim can deny, for the Quran does acknowledge that title. That every Israelite King and High Priest was anointed with the holy oil composed of olive oil and various spices we know from the Hebrew Scriptures (Lev. xxx. 23-33). Even the Zardushti Koresh King of Persia is called God’s Christ: “Thus says the Lord to His Christ Cyrus,” elc. (Isa. xlv. 1-7).It would be superfluous here to mention that although neither Cyrus nor Jesus (pbuh) were anointed by the sacred anointment, yet they are called Messiahs.As to Jesus (pbuh) , even if his prophetic mission were recognized by the Jews, his Messianic office could never be accepted by them. For none of the marks or characteristics of the Messiah they expect are to be found in the man whom they attempted to crucify. The Jew expects a Messiah with the sword and temporal power, a conqueror who would restore and extend the kingdom of David (pbuh) , and a Messiah who would gather together the dispersed Israel unto the land of Canaan, and subdue many nations under his yoke; but they could never acclaim as such a preacher upon the Mount of Olives, or one born in a manger.To show that this very ancient prophecy has been practically and literally fulfilled in Muhammad the following arguments can be advanced. By the allegorical expressions “the Sceptre” and “Law-giver” it is unanimously admitted by the commentators to mean the royal authority and the prophecy respectively. Without stopping long to examine the root and derivation of the second singular word “yiqha,” we may adopt either of its two significations, “obedience” or “expectation.”