Jeevan and Jyoti are an educated brother and sister born in a Christian home. Both are graduates and accomplished pianists. They have a problem, as they shamefacedly admitted, “We hate ourselves.” When questioned why they hated themselves, they reluctantly admitted that they belonged to a low caste. Jyoti felt a double stigma because of her low caste and being a woman. Both caste and gender bondage weighed her down.
‘We always feel inferior in the company of other educated people,’ commented Jeevan and Jyoti. When confronted with the question, “Don’t you believe that Jesus, the Creator of the universe, calls you friend?” the brother and sister remained quiet. ‘Friendship involves respect and likeness. Jesus not only likes and respects you but also loves you and died to reconcile you with God and one another. He enables us to engage in the service of reconciliation in this broken and hurting world,’ explained their friend Ramesh.
“Why do you allow others to define who you are?” challenged Ramesh. ‘Believe in how your Maker defines your identity and gives you dignity.’ It took about a week for the truth that Jesus calls them His friends to sink in. And what joy filled their life. The broad smile on their faces and the confidence and courage they experienced was visible in how they talked and greeted everyone. The spiritual truth of friendship with God broke their chains of bondage and the fact that they are created in the image and likeness of God. Both siblings now rejoice in the truth, as the Bible states, “Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57).
The seed of God’s truth transformed Jeevan and Jyoti, who now move confidently among people of all strata, with their head held high. They spread the aroma of the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly proclaiming that all people are made equal and in the image of their Creator.