Why was Moses (as) allowed to defend himself with the sword, but not Jesus (as)?

God sends two kinds of prophets. Law-bearing prophets like Moses (as) were allowed to defend themselves against armed attack and triumphed despite their weakness; a Messiah like Jesus (as) triumphs without any resistance, through his message alone, so that no one can say it was the sword that won.

In the history of religion we meet two kinds of prophets. Some bring a law, like Moses (as) and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). The second verse above places the two side by side, and indeed their paths are alike in many ways. Both were opposed by force, and both received permission from God to defend themselves with the same weapons that were used against them.

What matters is when this permission came. It did not come when the believers were strong. They were still weak and few, and yet they triumphed against great odds. That too is a sign of God. But in time some people begin to say that it was not the message that won but the sword.

So later, in the same line of faith, God sends a Messiah like Jesus (as). Such a Messiah does not raise his hand against the one who strikes him. He gives up his body, his honour and his life rather than resist. He also taught his disciples not to answer force with force. That they offered no resistance when he was arrested was therefore not a sign that they lacked love, but of their faithfulness to his teaching.

In the end the result is the same, and often even more striking. By human reckoning victory seems impossible, and yet the message spreads and endures. His followers carry it on without fear, and, as the third verse above says, with compassion and mercy in their hearts.

In this way God shows the same thing by two paths. The truth does not win through the strength of weapons. It wins because God stands behind it.