Be a Good Christian, a True Christian, a Better Christian
Be a Good Christian, a True Christian, a Better Christian
This is the season in which Christians celebrate Easter – Jesus’ resurrection from the dead after his crucifixion. What is the significance of this celebration, not only for Christians but for all people everywhere? How have the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba illuminated the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in the lives of Christians who have come to know him? These two questions have prompted this cover story.
To fully appreciate the story of Easter, we must start with the fact that Jesus was born into the culture and religion of the Jewish people over 2,000 years ago. According to the first book in the Jewish Holy Scriptures, humanity was originally created by God in a state of purity and blissful intimacy with God:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” So God created man in his own image… male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number… I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food…” God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
This state was known as “the Garden of Eden.” But man developed ego and self-will, and “fell” from grace and purity and was sent out of the Garden. God promised to send the Jewish people an “Anointed One” (“Christ” in Greek or “Messiah” in Hebrew, the language of the Jews) to save humanity from this plight. Christians believe that Jesus was this “Anointed One”, the “Christ” sent by God.
Since the name “Jesus” is Greek for the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “the Lord saves,” he became known as Jesus Christ – “the anointed one who saves,” who would restore humanity to its original state of purity and intimacy with God.
Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, in very humble surroundings near their capital city of Jerusalem. He had a distinct mission, which Sathya Sai Baba describes this way:
Jesus was to shatter the darkness that had enveloped the world… to spread the light of love in the heart of man and councils of humanity.
In order to carry out his redemptive mission, Jesus had to correct mistaken ways of thinking, which he did through teachings such as:
You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evil person. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Jesus gave spiritual teachings and performed many miraculous healings for the people of his time, as Sathya Sai Baba relates:
Jesus taught simple, practical lessons in spiritual advancement for the good of mankind. He manifested Divine powers to instil faith in the validity of his teachings. He marked out the path that can confer on man the sweet nectar of Divine bliss (ananda). He exhorted people by precept and example to cultivate the virtues of charity, compassion, forbearance, love and faith. These are not separate and distinct qualities; they are only the many facets of the Divine in man, which he has to recognise and develop. (24 December 1972)
In the course of his ministry and miracles, even raising people from the dead, certain religious and political leaders felt challenged and threatened by Jesus’ popularity. Sai Baba tells us:
Jesus was the epitome of compassion and the refuge of the poor, needy and forlorn. But, many people tried to create troubles for Jesus, since they did not like his sacred teachings and activities. Their hatred for Jesus increased day by day. Even the priests turned against Jesus as they became jealous of his growing popularity. Many people out of jealousy laid obstacles in his path and even tried to kill him. (25 December 2000)
Jesus foretold what was to happen to him – that he would be crucified and then rise from the dead on the third day. After three years of ministry, Jesus was going to Jerusalem for an upcoming Jewish holy festival, the Passover Feast, and a great crowd heard that he was coming:
