Should one use the words “Jesus pbuh” (peace be unto him/assalaamu alaikum)? Muslims probably say this out of ignorance without realizing that it’s offensive. Why? Because the prophets of old state that the Messiah is the one who BRINGS peace (not the RECIPIENT of peace) that’s why Jesus could say it but not someone else wishing peace upon Jesus. Jesus doesn’t need it because he is the PRINCE OF PEACE. Can YOU wish peace upon me? Yes.
But what kind of peace is this? Is it about living peacefully with all men on earth? NO. Not that kind of peace. That’s why Jesus said he had not come to bring peace “on earth” but a sword (Matthew 10:34). That sword not being the literal sword but the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
The peace Jesus brought is a much, much superior kind of peace. It is a peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6). It is an everlasting peace between God and Men (not between Men and Men).
Do we really need this kind of peace? Yes. All mankind need the peace between God and Men. Without this peace we invite the righteous judgement or wrath of God upon ourselves. Why? Because our sin creates enmity, hostility and hatred between God and men. God is holy and hates wickedness. While God is MERCIFUL, his JUSTICE requires that he judge and punish us for our sins. The wages of sin is death. Sin has separated us from God.
“But your INIQUITIES are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen”
Isaiah 59:2
The most terrible existence of any human being is to be cut off from God, but the most splendid existence is to be at peace with God. Separation from God brings condemnation to all mankind.
Can YOU obtain this peace with God TODAY? Yes. It is a kind of peace which brings salvation because salvation, in actual terms, means to be saved from the wrath or righteous judgment of God!
In this stand-off between God and men, who restores this glorious peace between us and God so that we may be saved from the wrath to come? If sin has made us enemies to God, who offers to take up the punishment for our iniquities and reconcile us to God by establishing PEACE between God and men, so that men can be saved?
The name Jesus/Yeshua means ‘God is Salvation’! He is God’s “salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
Isaiah 49:6
The prophet Isaiah prophesies of the” arm of the Lord”—the Messiah—taking up the punishment on behalf of mankind:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our INIQUITIES; the punishment that brought us PEACE was on him…”
Isaiah 53:5
“he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:12
[Beloved, the idolatrous stone (hajr e aswad) claimed to have fallen from heaven will not expiate your sins [al-Bukhaari, 4987] or bring the splendid PEACE with God but rather it is an abomination which will invite the wrath of God in your life]
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
Romans 5:10
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made PEACE through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:19-20
[Contrary to QS 4:157, Jesus actually spoke to his mother Mary and the disciple John (John 19:25-27) while on the cross and was witnessed to by over 500 people after his resurrection]
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
I Corinthians 1:18
Prophecy of the Messiah by the prophet Zechariah:
“.. He shall speak PEACE to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.’
Zechariah 9:10
“He [Jesus] came and preached PEACE to you who were far away and PEACE to those who were near.
Ephesians 2:17
Don’t be mistaken, the peace which Jesus preached is a magnificent kind of peace between God and Men, an everlasting peace with God which surpasses all understanding.
It is a peace which removes the sins which separate us from God through FORGIVENESS of those SINS. This is the greatest commission:
Jesus said, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the FORGIVENESS of SINS will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Luke 24:46-47
The Messiah is the PRINCE of PEACE who brings God’s Salvation:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE.”
Isaiah 9:6
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12