Whether Jesus is "just" a messenger of God is a matter of theological debate and depends on your religious perspective. Different religions and denominations within Christianity have varying beliefs about Jesus's role and nature.
Here's a breakdown of different perspectives:
Islam:
* Jesus (Isa) is considered a prophet of God, one of the most important in Islam.
* He is believed to have been born of a virgin (Maryam/Mary) and performed miracles.
* However, Muslims do *not* believe Jesus is the son of God, divine, or part of a Trinity.
* They believe he was a messenger of God, delivering God's word.
Judaism:
* Judaism does not recognize Jesus as a prophet or messenger of God.
* They believe the messianic prophecies have not been fulfilled and that Jesus did not fulfill them.
Christianity:
* Mainstream Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy): These denominations believe Jesus is *more* than just a messenger. They believe:
* Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human.
* He is part of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), three persons in one God.
* He is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.
* His death and resurrection atoned for the sins of humanity.
* Non-Trinitarian Christianity (e.g., Unitarianism, Jehovah's Witnesses): These groups typically believe:
* Jesus is not God.
* He may be considered a prophet, a great teacher, or God's son in a different sense (not divine).
* They may not believe in the Trinity.
Other Perspectives:
* Baháʼí Faith: Considers Jesus to be a Manifestation of God, a divine messenger in a lineage of prophets including Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Muhammad, and others.
* Secular/Agnostic/Atheist: These viewpoints generally do not consider Jesus to be a messenger of God in a supernatural sense. They may view him as a historical figure who was a moral teacher or a revolutionary.
In summary:
* If you're asking from an Islamic perspective: Yes, Jesus is a revered messenger of God, but not divine.
* If you're asking from a mainstream Christian perspective: No, Jesus is much more than a messenger; he is God incarnate.
* If you're asking from a Jewish perspective: Jesus is not considered a messenger of God at all.
* Other perspectives vary widely depending on their theological frameworks.