Following Jesus’ Example

In the following discourse, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba says that we can call ourselves children of God only when we recognize that He does pure and selfless actions, for our sake with no trace of self-interest. Everything He does, says, or thinks is for our good.

Jesus exemplified the spirit of social service. He was inspired by his mother Mary. From a young age Mary taught him good qualities such 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 track of Jesus and searched for him everywhere. Not finding him anywhere, Mary sat under a tree and prayed to God to come help her. At that moment, a thought flashed in her mind that Jesus was perhaps in a nearby temple. And sure enough, Jesus was there sitting in a corner 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’ Ministry

Jesus had learned 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. Joseph passed away when Jesus was thirty. He sought his mother’s permission to devote himself to the service of the needy and the forlorn.

After leaving home, Jesus had himself baptized by John. Then for forty days Jesus observed severe austerities without food and drink. At first he considered himself as a ‘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.”

Foster love

What is it that humans should acquire today? It is the broadening of the heart so that it may be filled with all-embracing love. Only then can the sense of spiritual oneness of all mankind be experienced. Out of that sense of unity will the love of God be born. This love will generate pure bliss in the heart that is boundless, indescribable, and everlasting. For all forms of bliss, love is the source. A heart without love is like a barren land.

Foster love in your hearts and redeem your lives. Whatever your scholarship or wealth may be, without love they have no value. Without devotion, all other accomplishments are of no avail for realizing God. Humans aspire for liberation. True liberation means freedom from desires.

Today humans cannot go to forests for penance or engage themselves in meditation and other spiritual exercises. The easiest spiritual path for all people is to dedicate all their actions to God.

Oneness with God

Today we celebrate the birthday of Christ. It is said that when Jesus was born in a manger, three kings were led by a star to Jesus’ place of birth. In fact, they were not kings but three shepherds. One of them, seeing the infant Jesus observed, “This child will be a lover of God.” A second one said, “No. God will love him.” The third one said, “Verily he is God Himself.”

The true significance of these three statements is: to love God is to be His Messenger. To be loved by God is to be a Son of God. The final state is to be one with God. As Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” Thus all persons are messengers of God. This means that they should divinize themselves. When can all people call themselves ‘Children of God?’ Recognize that pure actions are done by God, selflessly for the sake of all. There is no trace of self-interest in Him. Everything He does, says, or thinks is for the good of others. On the other side, everything humans do, speak or think is born out of selfishness. People have become puppets in the hands of selfishness. Humans can describe themselves as ‘Children of God’ only when they are completely free from selfishness and become Godly. To call yourself the ‘Child of God,’ you have to manifest the qualities of the Father.

The body is no doubt essential up to a point. It has been given for the performance of right actions and to discover the secret underlying action. The body, the action, the mystery, and righteousness together signify the purpose of human birth. Today people are not aware of righteousness or the role of Karma [action]. Of what use is human existence?

Spiritual path is narrow

Do not give room for the waywardness of the mind. Purify the mind and direct it towards the righteous path. It is a straight and narrow path. In the spiritual field there is no royal highway. The path is narrow because the goal is infinitely precious. Crowds swarm a fish market but only a few go to a diamond shop. The road to God is for the few who are genuine sadhakas.

The birthdays of saints and prophets are being celebrated these days with feasts and festivities. This is not the way to celebrate them. The followers should live up to the teachings of the great masters as the highest form of celebration.

Uniqueness of Christmas in Prasanthi Nilayam

Christmas is celebrated today in many countries. In every country small groups of people go to their respective churches, listen to the sermon and return to their homes. In some places people eat, drink, and make merry. But nowhere in the world can you find Christmas being celebrated with the solemnity and holiness seen in Prasanthi Nilayam. Here, men and women gather from all countries. There are many denominations among Christians and the various members celebrate Christmas in their separate ways. Only in Prasanthi Nilayam do Christians of all denominations and men and women of other faiths join to celebrate Christmas. Here, there are devotees from Germany, Russia, Argentina, America, and many other countries. They speak different languages. Prasanthi Nilayam has become a mini-world. All of them work in unison. Here is a concrete manifestation of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God.

People talk about brotherhood, but there are often no fraternal feelings among brothers even in one family. That is not the case here, in Prasanthi Nilayam. Here you see brotherhood in action, from heart to heart and love to love.

Holy festivals are conducted in such an ideal manner only in Prasanthi Nilayam. Devotees should set an example of ideal living to the whole world.

The message of unity

In this cosmic university, all people are students. Hence everyone should render social service to the extent of one’s capacity and spread Swami’s ideals among all. There is nothing selfish in Swami’s message. Hence anyone can spread it selflessly.

Sow the seed of love in your hearts and it will grow in due course into a big tree. God is one. Do not entertain any differences of creed or caste. Carry the message of unity to every home.

Embodiments of love! Regard love as your life-breath and as the sole purpose of your existence.

Source: Sanathana Sarathi, January, 1995