CHRIST AND GANDHI

Many people in this world were influenced by the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth. His words from the Bible, have inspired many individuals. Some of them have put to practice, what Jesus had spoken in the Gospels, and have achieved great results. 

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi [2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948] was immensely influenced by Jesus of Nazareth. In particular, Gandhi was impressed by the Sermon on the Mount. His non-violent method of agitation, for the freedom of India, from the British rule, yielded great results. The words of Jesus had a great influence in the choice of Gandhi’s methods to fight the British colonial rule.

Gandhi got interested in the Bible, while he was still a student in England. Gandhi had once told Mrs. Millie Polak, the wife of Gandhi’s earliest disciples,…
– “I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith,” “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…”

According to Dr. J. H. Holmes, professor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College, during his time in India, had several opportunities of conversing with Gandhi. He says, Gandhi always had a black and white photo of Jesus Christ, with the words *”he is our peace”* in his room – wherever he was. The following are the words of Gandhi about Christ, and the Christians, as told to Dr. J. H. Holmes.
– “I believe in the teachings of Christ, but you on the other side of the world do not, I read the Bible faithfully and see little in Christendom that those who profess faith pretend to see.”
– “The Christians above all others are seeking after wealth. Their aim is to be rich at the expense of their neighbors. They come among aliens to exploit them for their own good and cheat them to do so. Their prosperity is far more essential to them than the life, liberty, and happiness of others. “The Christians are the most warlike people.” – The Harvard Crimson, January 11, 1927

The point of discussion is not, whether Gandhi was a Christian in the traditional sense; the point is, what he believed about Christ, and what he said about Christians. The Kansas City Star, a newspaper, quotes Rev. Pattison, about a very disturbing incident from the life of Gandhi. The same is referred by Edith Nevis, in his article “THE FACE OF CHRISTIANITY.” Once Gandhi desired to attend a Church service in Kolkata, India. The ushers at the door, stopped him from entering the Church. The reason?
– “He was told he was not welcome, nor would he be permitted to attend this particular church as it was for high-caste Indians and whites only. He was neither high caste, nor was he white.”

Small wonder then, Gandhi said,
– “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – M. K. Gandhi

How do we, the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, should think, speak and behave? We have to think, speak and behave, with utmost care and diligence. Why should we do so? For this simple reason that, we are representing Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the LORD and Redeemer, in this world.
– “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;” – 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
– “19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19
– “20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

Sadly, many in the church are walking the way of the People of God of old. We are walking our own way, instead of walking on the narrow path, that our LORD and Redeemer had shown us. “Paul reminds the Jew [in Romans 2:24 about what] …God said in the Old Testament that the failure of the Jew to obey the law causes Gentiles to blaspheme God.” – David Guzik. Here under are a few verses to know the agonising heart of God, at the disgusting behaviour of the People of God.
– “5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD…my name continually every day is blasphemed.” – Isaiah 52:5
– “20…they profaned my holy name…21…mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.” – Ezekiel 36:20-21 
– “24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” – Romans 2:24

How are we walking this morning? Does the world around us see Christ Jesus in our thoughts, words and deeds? Or, does the world see itself in us? Let us pause and ponder. May we always desire to walk worthy of the name of our Redeemer. May we seek God’s help, that our thoughts, words and deeds would be in line with Him, who called us out of darkness, into His marvellous light – 1 Peter 2:9-10; and always bring Him glory and honour, all through our lives. Even so, the LORD help us.