Overview (Verses 113- 115)

The Miraculous Repast
 
Be that as it may, Jesus warned them against asking for miracles, because believers do not ask for them: “He answered: ‘Fear God, if you are truly believers.’“ (Verse 112) But Jesus’s disciples repeated their request stating their reasons for requesting it and what they hoped to achieve, should it be granted. “Said they: ‘We desire to eat of it, so that our hearts are reassured and that we know that you have spoken the truth to us, and that we may be witness of it.’” (Verse 113)
 
What they wanted was that they should eat of such food which no human being on earth could ever taste. They would have heart-felt reassurance as they would see the miracle being enacted in front of their eyes. They would know then that Jesus had told them only the truth. This would make of them witnesses to the truth of this miracle so that none of their people could ever deny it. All these reasons confirm that the level of those disciples was well below that of Muĥammad’s Companions, who were of a totally different mould.
 
At this point Jesus addressed his appeal to his Lord: “God, our Lord,” said Jesus, son of Mary, “send down upon us a repast from heaven: it shall be an ever-recurring feast for us — for the first and the last of us — and a sign from You. And provide us our sustenance, for You are the best provider.” (Verse 114)
 
We note in Jesus’s supplication how he makes his address with all the humility of a servant whose Lord has honoured him. He first makes it clear that he recognises Him, saying, “God, our Lord!” Then he states his appeal, requesting Him to give them a repast that would bring them joy and goodness, so as to be like a festival for everyone of them. He acknowledges that it would all be provided by God, the best of all providers. Jesus is thus shown to recognise his own status as a servant of God and to recognise God’s status as Lord of all the worlds. This is shown in front of all mankind, particularly his people on that great and eventful day.
 
God answers the prayer of his good servant, Jesus son of Mary, but with the seriousness that befits His majesty. They asked for a miracle, and He will give them the miracle they requested, on condition that He will severely punish anyone who continues to disbelieve after the miracle is granted. Indeed that punishment will surpass in severity any other punishment inflicted on any other of God’s servants. “God replied: I am sending it down to you. But whoever of you disbelieves after this, I shall inflict on him suffering the like of which I have not inflicted on anyone in the world.’“ (Verse 115)
 
This seriousness is important, so that requests for miracles are not made as idle talk. Moreover, those who ask for proof and continue to disbelieve after they have been given what they have asked for must not go unpunished. It has been God’s law, applicable to all past communities, that those who continued to deny the messages preached by God’s messengers after the miracles were given them were annihilated. In this instance, however, the statement may mean that they would be punished here in this life, or in the life to come.