Sai Baba Speaks of Jesus
Christ - Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Jesus Christ – Happy Christmas
"Call me by any name -
Krishna, Allah, Christ. Can't you recognise Me in any Form? Continue your
worship of your chosen
God along the lines familiar to you and you'll find you
are coming near to Me, for all Names and Forms are Mine."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"Forms of worship, or phraseology of adoration, or the style of address may
vary, but all religions are directed towards the same consummation. The same
bloodstream circulates in all the limbs of the body. The same divine Stream
activates the entire universe. Visualise the Supreme Architect, that
Incomprehensible Designer, that Unseen Life-giver. This is spoken of as the
realisation of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"All religions teach one basic discipline; the removal from the mind of the
blemish of egoism of running after little joys. Every religion teaches man to
fill his being with the glory of God and evict the pettiness of conceit. It
trains him in the methods of detachment and discrimination so that he may aim
high and attain liberation."
"Believe that all hearts are motivated by the One and Only God; that all
faiths glorify the One and Only God; that all Names in all languages and all
forms man can conceive denote the One and Only God. cultivate the attitude of
Oneness between people of all creeds, all countries and all continents. This is
the message of love I bring. That is the message I wish you take to heart."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"Jesus was a Messenger of God; but note this also; all of you are messengers
of God. You are all His children. Jesus and His Father are One. You and God are
also one, and you can become aware of it. Whatever activity you may be engaged
in, wherever you may be, however you may fare, be convinced that you are ever in
God, that all is Divine, that all acts are offerings to the glory of God, and
thus make your lives full and fruitful."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"Jesus sacrificed His life for the regeneration and welfare of mankind.
Today, there are some who exaggerate the so-called differences between different
faiths and, for their own selfish purposes, exploit these differences; they
thereby bring a bad name to the founders of those religions, who were spiritual
giants. No Prophet, or Messiah asked his followers to hate other religions or
the followers of other faiths. Every religion has declared that God is One and
that the Divine dwells in every being. Jesus also proclaimed the truth that the
One Spirit resides in all beings."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"All faiths are inter-related and mutually indebted to each other, for the
principles they teach and the desciplines they recommend are similar. The Vedic
tradition is the first in Time. Buddhism, which appeared about 2500 years ago,
is its son. Christianity, which was influenced by much in the Orient, is its
grandson. Islam, which has the Prophets of Christianity as its base, is the
great grandson. All have Love as the fundamental discipline of the mind in order
to merge man with the Divine."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"God sends sages, saints and prophets to unveil the Truth and Himself appears
as an Avatar to awaken and liberate mankind. Two thousand years ago, when narrow
pride and ignorance defiled mankind, Jesus came as the embodiment of Love and
Compassion and lived among men, holding forth the highest ideals of life."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"Let the different faiths exist, let them flourish, let the Glory of God be
sung in all the languages and in a variety of tunes; that should be the idel.
Respect the differences between the faiths and recognise them as valid as far as
they do not extinguish the flame of unity."
—Sathya Sai Baba
"As the air we breathe is of God's creation and available to all, so the
awareness of God and His Power and Mercy has to be available to all. True
seekers on the spiritual path, must hold onto this wide outlook and on the
universality of this message. Then the conflict between disparate faiths and
credos disappears by itself, and peace and love will be restored on Earth."
—Sathya Sai Baba
Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Jesus Christ – Happy
Christmas
ADVENT
The lives of such personalities (referring to Jesus) are lived out, in order to
establish the welfare of humanity, the prosperity and peace of the world, and
individual liberation from bondage to sensual desires and passions.
This is illustrated by the strange phenomena that occur at the time of their
Advent. It is believed that when Christ was born there were such manifestations.
The ruler of the realm had ordered a census, and each had to be counted in his
own village. So Mary and her husband moved along the road that led to his native
village. Mary was with child; the pains started midway; they knew no one in the
hamlet through which they were passing; so they took refuge in a cowshed. Joseph
made ready the space between the cows, and went out into the road at midnight,
to seek some woman who could help. But, soon, he heard the Baby’s cry.
And, the story says, there was a star in the sky, which fell with a new light,
and this led a few Tibetans and others to the place where the Savior was born.
This story is read and taken on trust by many, though stars do not fall or even
slide down so suddenly. What the story signifies is this; there was a huge halo
of splendor illuminating the sky over the village when Christ was born. This
meant that He, who was to overcome the darkness of evil and ignorance, had taken
birth and He will spread the Light of Love in the heart of man and councils of
humanity.
“He whom Christ Announced”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 11, December 24, 1972,
Bangalore
In Christian thought, the Bible has been taken as an authority. When we read the
Bible, we look at Christ as an ideal figure who proclaimed truth to the world.
When we learn about His life story, we come to the conclusion that He was born
of Virgin Mary. The moment this story of Christ’s birth to Virgin Mary is
revealed, all those who follow Christianity rightly feel very proud and feel
that this mysterious birth is the result of some Divine power and that Mary was
a very sacred woman. They further proclaim this fact to the world with great
pride. We should understand this aspect and learn how they accept such an event.
“Brahman”, Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1974, Brindavan
Try to be like Jesus. Jesus was a person whose only joy was in spreading Divine
Love, offering Divine Love, receiving Divine Love and living on Divine Love.
There are various theories about the birth date of Jesus based on the ‘bright
star that appeared at His birth.’ It is visible once in 800 years, it is said.
Some say He was born on the fifteenth day of September. But, He was born at 3:15
am (early morning) on December 28, 1980 years ago. It was Sunday. The Star that
appeared that day appears only once in 800 years.
Its appearance had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. There is no rule that,
when Divine Energy or Divine Incarnation descends on Earth, a star has to
appear. That is the opinion of devotees only. But, Jesus was himself a ‘Star’ of
infinite value, spreading brilliance of infinite dimension. Why posit another
less brilliant glow?
“The Way of Jesus”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 14,
December 25, 1979, Prasanthi Nilayam
On December 25, when Jesus was born, three kings came to His birthplace. These
three gave expression to three different views about the new-born babe. One of
them, looking at the infant, said, “This child looks like One who will be a
lover of God.” A second king said, “God will love this child”. The third king
declared, “Verily, this child is God Himself”. The first one viewed the child
from the physical point of view. The second saw the child from the mental
viewpoint. The third saw from the Atmic (spiritual) point of view. The three
declarations indicate how one can progress from the human to the Divine level.
What is needed is the destruction of the animal and demonic qualities in man.
“The Journey in the Jungle”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 07,
April 22, 1967, Madras
Two thousand years ago, in Palestine, a province of the Roman empire, there were
Jews professing Judaism. The Jews believed in one God called Yehovah. They
believed that God would send a messiah for the people of Israel. Jerusalem was
the sacred city of the Jews and continued to be so even under the Romans. This
was the time when Jesus was born. From His childhood Jesus displayed such sacred
qualities as compassion, love and sacrifice.
“Develop Spiritual Oneness” Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 24,
December 25, 1991, Prasanthi Nilayam
EARLY AGE
A Young Jesus Christ amidst learned scholars with His parents looking over Him
The child was brought up by mother Mary and his father was working as a
carpenter. It was the time of a festival in Jerusalem and the child Jesus was
taken there along with His parents. They lost the child in the crowd and could
not find Him anywhere. Mother Mary naturally was very much worried. Finally,
they went to the temple to pray. To their astonishment, they found young Jesus
coming out of the temple. All the while the child had been in the temple,
listening to the holy discourse of the Rabbi of the temple. The anxious mother
took hold of her child and started asking Him several questions as to what He
was doing all the while. The child replied, “Mother, why were you afraid? All
the while I was in the hands of God. I have been listening to the words of God
expounded by the Rabbi in the temple.” Thus, the child was God-minded from a
very young age. After some time, father Joseph passed away. Mary told her son,
“Now that Your father passed away, You should continue Your father’s profession,
so that we may earn our livelihood.” But the boy was not inclined to continue in
His father’s profession. The mother was also not interested to oppose the
natural inclinations of young Jesus. One day, young Jesus went to a lonely
hilltop. The mother was very much worried, nay, depressed due to the absence of
her son. Jesus was sitting and meditating on God all the while. After some time,
He returned. As He was returning, He ran into a group of worried men on the
coast of the Sea of Galilee.
When young Jesus enquired from them the cause of their worry, they said that
they were fishermen and that for quite some time past, they were not able to
catch any fish in their nets. Jesus said, “Follow me; are there any waters that
do not have fish?” He took them along with Him in their boats to the middle of
the sea and asked them to cast their nets at a particular spot. To their utter
astonishment and great joy, the fishermen found that their nets were full with
fish. This event created a lot of faith in the minds of the fishermen. Hence,
faith is indispensable for humanity.
Jesus could instill such great faith in those people. One of those fishermen was
named by Jesus as Peter. He developed intense love and faith towards Jesus. From
then on, the fishermen regularly used to take Jesus out on their fishing
expeditions and after their return in the evening, Jesus used to expound
spiritual matters to them. When Peter’s father passed away, his mother was
filled with sorrow, but Jesus consoled her by telling, “Death is but a dress of
life. Wherefore do you shed tears? Death is like changing one’s dress.
Therefore, stop grieving. These physical bodies come and go, so do not waste
your thought on these ephemeral things. The indweller (Dehi) who lives inside
this body is the true divinity.” In this manner, Jesus preached and instilled
confidence in the people around him. Thus, the fishermen’s community was
spending its time happily in the company of Jesus. At that time, one Mathew, who
was a tax collector for the Romans, used to visit them on official work and,
during his visits, he also used to listen to Jesus and take notes of His
teachings. Finally, he became a disciple of Jesus.
After a while, Jesus started facing obstacles and opposition to His preaching.
Anyone donning a physical body cannot escape such vicissitudes of life. Without
hardships man cannot exist. Death follows birth and with the same certainty
misery follows happiness. Sukha Dukhe Samekrutwa Labhalabhau Jayajayau (One
should remain equal-minded in happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and
defeat). Pleasure is an interval between two pains.
Spirituality does not mean simply doing Bhajans and performing some acts of
worship. Cultivate noble qualities. Always be helpful to others and earn a good
name. Jesus earned such a good name by sacrificing His body on the cross. You
also must be prepared for such a great sacrifice. Jesus Christ developed such
noble qualities. He gave protection to several poor and destitute people with a
loving heart. In fact, several such people sought refuge in Him. In the process,
He had to face the wrath of several enemies. You should help people even if you
have to undergo some difficulties. Never indulge in reviling others, for the
same Atma is permeating every living being. If you abuse others, it amounts to
abusing your own self. If you do not like them, keep yourself away from them,
but never abuse them. Any amount of good work done by you will be of no use, if
you do not give up bad qualities.
If you cannot do good to others, at least speak good words. You cannot always
oblige, but you can speak always obligingly. If you find someone suffering, try
to help him. Today it is his turn, but tomorrow it could be yours. Always keep
this in mind. Nobody can escape from pain and suffering. Always pray for the
welfare of all.
“Love and Morality—The Need of the Hour”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 35, December
25, 2002, Prasanthi Nilayam
Jesus wandered purposefully in lonely places for twelve long years, engaging
Himself in study, spiritual exercises and meditation on God. Of course, one must
protect and preserve the body, which is a Divine gift, a boat equipped with
instruments through which man can cross the sea of perpetual change and reach
Divinity. This goal of life has to be reached before the body-boat develops
leaks and disintegrates, through illness, sloth and senility. Physical, mental
and spiritual health has to be fostered with vigilant care. Nevertheless, ‘one’
must be ever ready to east the body away in defense of Dharma or Daiva (goodness
or God). Have Jesus as your ideal for this. He exhorted all to observe the
basically valid teachings of the ancient scriptures and to derive peace and joy
therefrom.
The Jews held the rituals and regulations lay down by the prophets in the
scriptural texts as valid for all time and so, they held the teachings of Jesus
as wrong. They were not moved by personal hatred towards Jesus. The problem
arises in every age, the conflict between the letter and the spirit, the
doctrines that are held sacred, the Mantra (sacred formula) that is held to be
holy, the various do’s and don’ts that have to be scrupulously followed, and the
underlying truth. In the Vedic Faith also, one can find today this conflict
between the upholders of ancient tradition and the promoters of deeper
understanding. These later also base their teachings on the Vedas.
Jesus grew up at Nazareth till He reached thirty. After Joseph’s passing, Jesus
sought His mother’s permission to embark on His Divine mission. He got baptized
by John, the Baptist, and spent forty days in penance in a forest. During the
penance, He prayed to God for three things, One- He should be blessed with the
quality of loving equally everyone; Two- He should have the strength and
forbearance to suffer patiently any indignity or persecution that He might be
subjected to by anyone; Three- He should be enabled to use His God-given body
wholly in the service of God.
After forty days, Jesus emerged from his penance with the faith that His prayers
had been granted. Jesus encountered the fishermen, at Galilee, who became His
first disciples. He told them that He had come to establish the reign of love on
earth and those they would be His helpers in His mission. He spoke to them about
the preciousness of human birth and urged them to seek the Kingdom of God within
themselves.
By the way of illustration, Christ told them the following parable. In a river
the water is flowing in a swift current. But even the tiny fish are able to swim
in it and move about merrily. In the same river, a huge elephant caught in the
rapids, is likely to get washed away or drowned in spite of its enormous size.
Whatever the speed of the current, the small fish are able to swim freely in the
river and enjoy themselves. But an elephant is unable to survive in it. The
reason is, what you need for survival in a river is not bulk but the ability to
swim. Likewise man, who is caught up in the ocean of worldly existence (Samsara),
needs not so much metaphysics, scholarship or detachment, as the grace of Divine
love.
“Love - The Key to Human Unity”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 21, December 25,
1988, Prasanthi Nilayam
Realising from His early years that the discharge of one’s duties was the
primary obligation of a human being, Jesus used to help His father in His work
as a carpenter. The father passed away in Jesus’s twelfth year. For a while He
carried on His father’s work, but in due course He set out His ministry in the
service of the people. Like the fragrance in the bud of a flower, Jesus’s
divinity was evident from His boyhood.
“Develop Spiritual Oneness” Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 24,
December 25, 1991, Prasanthi Nilayam
Jesus exemplified the spirit of social service. The inspiration for this came
from His mother Mary. From His childhood, Mary taught Him such good qualities as
truth, kindness, compassion and justice. In His twelfth year, Jesus and His
parents went to Jerusalem for a festival. In the crowds the parents lost trace
of Jesus and searched for Him everywhere. Not finding Him anywhere, Mary sat
under a tree and prayed to God to come to her help. At that moment, a thought
flashed in her mind that Jesus was perhaps in a nearby temple. And Jesus was
there sitting in a comer of the temple and listening to the words of the priest.
Mary affectionately rushed towards Him and embraced Him. “Child, what agony I
went through on Your account,” she said. Jesus told her, “Mother! Why should you
have any fear? Those who believe in the world will have fears. But why should
anyone believing in God fear at all? I am in the company of my Father. Why do
you fear? You taught me that God is everything for us. How, then, can you worry
like this?” Jesus had learnt His lessons from His mother and developed His
spiritual faith. After they returned from Jerusalem, Jesus felt that service to
His parents was His foremost duty, because He owed everything to them. In this
spirit, He used to assist His father in his carpentry work. After Joseph passed
away, Jesus sought His mother’s permission to devote Himself to the service of
the needy and the forlorn. After leaving home, Jesus was Himself baptized by
John. Then for forty days Jesus observed severe austerities without food and
drink. At first He considered himself as Messenger of God. After the penance He
realized He was the Son of God. He began His ministry with a group of fishermen
as His first disciples. He taught them that they should first seek the Kingdom
of Heaven. To enter that Kingdom they had to cultivate loving hearts. Then,
their hearts would become the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus further declared to them,
“I and my Father are one.”
“Spread the Message of Love”, Sathya Sai Speaks Volume 27, December 25, 1994,
Prasanthi Nilayam
Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Mahapurushas
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