Christianity

Christianity is one of the most important religions having a large number of followers of about 800 million. Christianity, too like other religions, had its origin in Asia. Today we find the followers of Christianity in every part of the world. Christianity is a religious faith centered on Christ. The life of Christ is found in the New Testament in the Bible, which is the holy book of the Christians. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, and the pilot’s compass in the sense that it shows the pathway to salvation.

People forgot the teachings of Moses and once again there was confusion and chaos prevailing in the society. Morality ceased to exist. Whenever evil raises its head, God sends down a prophet to put it down. At this time came, the Son of God, Jesus from King David’s family as a saviour of man and he founded a new religious faith called Christianity. It is said that God loved the people of the world so much that he gave his only son, so that those who believed in him, should not perish, but have an everlasting life.

Life of Jesus

Jesus’ parents, Joseph and Mary were pious Jews. Joseph who was a carpenter by profession lived in Nazareth, in the province of Galilee. Before his birth, Christ’s to be mother Virgin Mary, was informed by Angel Gabriel that the grace of God had fallen upon her and the son of God was going to be born as her son. By this time Mary was already engaged to Joseph who was also informed in a dream by the Angel that he should accept Mary as his wife and that the child that Mary would have should be named Jesus. Israel was then under the rule of Romans and by a royal decree (law), every citizen was called upon to register his name in his hometown for purpose of a census. Joseph therefore took Mary, his pregnant wife along with him to register his name in a city called Bethlehem (in Judea). When they reached the place, they found the place crowded and could not get accommodation anywhere. Finally, they decided to spend the night in a cattle shed. That night Jesus, the saviour was born. It had been prophesied centuries back that at the time of birth of Jesus, a star would appear in the East. Three wise men of the East approached Herod, the king of Jews and told him about the prophecy and also enquired about the whereabouts of the child, who would be the king of the Jews. The wicked King who heard that Jesus was to be the future King of the Jews, cunningly told them to search for the child and come back and inform him so that he could also worship the child. The 3 wise men were directed by the star to the manger. They had a glimpse of the divine child, lying on the grass shed full of sweetness overflowing and shining in divine splendour. They knelt down, worshipped him and offered gifts as a token of their devotion. They departed without informing King Herod about the child as the Angel had already warned them about the evil design of the King. Some shepherds who were also keeping a watch over their flocks were informed by the Angel, the good news and they too rushed to Bethlehem to worship the child. The angel then asked Joseph to take the mother and child and flee into Egypt and stay there or Herod would seek the young child and destroy it. Joseph did accordingly. The angry king Herod ordered all children below 2 years to be put to death. After Herod died, the Angel asked Joseph and Mary to return back to Nazareth.

Not much is known about the childhood of Jesus except that when he was 12 years old, he went to Jerusalem with his parents to attend a feast. After his parents left, he stayed unnoticed by his parents. After 3 days when they could trace him back they found him in the temple discussing law and faith with the priests. They were all amazed and found him a master of wisdom.

No record is available about Jesus till his 30th year. But St.Luke believes that Jesus must have spent his time in solitude in communion with God.

His Baptism

John, the Baptist was the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth. Jesus was baptized by John in the River Jordan. Baptism is a purification rite. As soon as he was baptized he saw the spirit of God descending on him like a dove and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased”.

His Mission

Jesus started preaching when he was 30 years old. He collected around him a group of 12 disciples and went along with them spreading his new Gospel – the message of God’s redeeming love for mankind, the necessity of repentance for one’s sins and duty of man to God and his fellow beings. Clad in the garment of mercy and loving kindness; the calm and gentle prince of peace went from village to village, teaching in Synagogues and the countryside, healing the sick, consoling the troubled and even sometimes bringing back the dead to life. His popularity aroused jealousy in the minds of the Pharisees (Jewish priests) and they plotted to arrest Jesus secretly and put him to death.

From Galilee, Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. After the Last Supper, he was arrested. Judas, one of the disciples of Jesus helped the authorities in getting Jesus arrested and betrayed Jesus, in return for 30 pieces of silver. The ‘Pharisees’ accused Jesus falsely, tried him unjustly and ultimately in a most inhuman way crucified him. Jesus was only 33 years old at that time. Although he was whipped and nailed to the cross, his heart overflowed with compassion and he prayed for the very people who crucified him. His last words were “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. The day Jesus was crucified is mourned as Good Friday every year. However on the day after the crucification, as promised earlier, Jesus arose from the grave and appeared before his devotees. This Sunday is celebrated with joy as Easter Sunday. For 40 days he kept on appearing to them. On the 40th day he took them to Mount of Olives, blessed them and told them to spread his Gospel to all the nations. Then after assuring them that he would be there with them always upto the end of the world, he ascended to heaven.

The Teachings

The sermon that Jesus gave to his disciples on the Mount has influenced men for all the past 20 centuries and will continue to do so till eternity.

The main teachings of Christ were as follows:

• Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you.
• Love your neighbor as yourself.
• If anyone hits you on one cheek let him hit the other cheek too. Give and expect nothing back. Be merciful, just as your Father in Heaven is merciful and never do to other what you would not want them to do to you. Do not judge others, but correct yourself first. Do not judge others and God will not judge you; Forgive others and God will forgive you.
• He asked the people to put into action his teachings rather than merely listening to them.

Jesus told the people, “Do not be worried about the food and drink and clothes you need. The Father in Heaven knows your needs and will fulfill them. Give first place to his kingdom and what he requires and he will take care of you. Jesus mostly taught in parables, giving the moral by example.

In the beginning, the Christian religion developed around the Institution of an Universal Church but later on it got divided into two sects –

1. Catholics and 2. Protestants

For Catholics, Vatican in Rome is the centre of religious authority and Pope is the religious head. Jesus asks us to become a new man. We have to give up our ego and selfishness. Heaven he says is not a place in space, it is the spiritual state, which is to be experienced within oneself. Christ emphasized that service to Man is Service to God. One should live his life like a Good Samaritan. Anyone in difficulty is our neighbour. This love should go even to the extent of giving up our own life, as Christ himself did.

Thus the Christian religion is a religion of love. It is a religion of commitment of active and dedicated service to Mankind.

The Lord’s Prayer:

PRAYER

Our father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth,
As it is in heaven
Give us this daily our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom,
The Power and the Glory.
For ever and ever.
Amen

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