Jagat Ignores the Parable of the Soils Until…

I was a Hindu in a Hindu family in India.  When I was 16, a Christian was handing out gospel pamphlets and I received one.  Curious enough to read it, the pamphlet told what Jesus taught in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13.  My response was to be like the seed that fell on the hard ground; I did not understand the word of the kingdom of God, and the evil one snatched it away.  Like the seed that landed among the thorns, I heard the word, but the cares of the world choked the word, and I forgot all about it.

Two years later when I was 18, another Christian was handing out reading material, and I received one.  As I read the pamphlet, I realized it was the very same parable of Jesus from Matthew 13.  My reaction was the same.  I ignored Jesus, and busied myself finishing school, getting married, and having our first child.

When I was 24, I was walking through the forest after dark.  I hoped I would not meet any animals.  Suddenly a tiger came out of the darkness straight towards me!  As I closed my eyes in horror, I heard a strong voice saying, “I am with you. Do not be afraid.” I opened my eyes and the tiger was gone!

Immediately my thoughts were very clear. Jesus, the Son of God, who spoke the parable I had ignored, had not ignored me!  He had just spoken to me and with his power turned the tiger away from me.

In one moment, my heart was changed from being like seed landing on the hard, impenetrable soil of the path.  My heart was changed from being full of weeds and thorns that choke the words of Jesus.  My heart became like good soil that hears the word of Jesus, understands it, and lets his word bear fruit (Matt. 13:23).  On the spot I turned from my Hindu gods who for 24 years had been silent and never helped me; like Jesus just had with personal care.  I surrendered to Jesus.  Whatever he said was true.  The Bible was true.  He had all power, even over wild animals.

In my new joy in the true God, I went to my family and my in-laws and told them what had happened.  Our Hindu parents and Uncles all firmly said, “You are not to enter our homes again. Go away!”

The LORD was very kind in giving my wife a heart to believe me and turn to Jesus.  She said, “We will stand together with the true God and his Son, even if all our families cast us away.”  Thank you, Lord!

We went to the Christian church nearby.  They welcomed us and taught us more of the amazing promises of Jesus in the Bible.  I went to Bible School and became a Pastor starting churches.  Many Hindus are troubled by the spirits they idolize in their home shrines.  When it is obvious a demon is at work in them, they exhaust themselves with trips to shrines and mosques.  Often as a last resort, someone suggests they appeal to Christians to pray for them.  The same when they are sick.  When we at the church ask the LORD to deliver and heal them in the name of Jesus the Son of God, He does.  Most of the churches are growing because Jesus is showing his power is greater than all others, which leads people to believe his Word and repent.   Wonderful!  So many are just like me; they ignore Jesus until they are in great need, and in amazing mercy Jesus reveals his power!

What a patient, longsuffering God of salvation is the LORD!  As I keep letting the seed of God’s word sink into my soul concerning his overflowing kindness poured out upon us through the death and resurrection of God’s Son, the Lord by his Spirit keeps assuring me, “I am with you.  Do not be afraid.”