A Bible Burned in Grief
Sundar Singh, born on September 3, 1889, in Rampur, Punjab, India, was raised in a devout Sikh family. His early life was a tapestry of religious exposure, attending a Christian missionary school while being taught the Bhagavad Gita at home. Despite this, Sundar initially rejected Christianity, viewing it with skepticism. The pivotal moment in his life came with the tragic death of his mother when he was just 14. Grief-stricken, Sundar's heart hardened towards Christianity. He took to burning a Bible in anger, yet he confessed, "Although I believed that I had done a very good deed by burning the Bible, I felt unhappy."
A Desperate Prayer Answered
Consumed by despair, Sundar contemplated ending his life, planning to throw himself in front of a train. In his darkest hour, he uttered a desperate prayer, "O God, if there is a God, reveal thyself to me tonight." That night, in December 1903, Sundar experienced a profound vision. His room filled with light as he encountered Jesus Christ, who spoke, "How long will you deny me? I died for you; I have given my life for you." Overwhelmed by this divine revelation, Sundar surrendered to Christ, experiencing an unprecedented peace and joy. He later reflected, "I found nothing in Hindu philosophy. Only in Jesus Christ whom I used to hate, I found peace."
The Christian Sadhu Is Born
Despite opposition, Sundar was baptized on his sixteenth birthday. His family disowned him, but undeterred, he embraced the life of a Christian sadhu, donning a saffron robe and turban. He traveled barefoot across India, Ceylon, and Tibet, relying solely on the charity of others and carrying only a New Testament. Sundar faced persecution, was arrested, and even poisoned, yet he was unwavering in his faith. "I am not worthy to follow in the steps of my Lord," he declared, "but like Him, I want no home, no possessions. Like Him, I will belong to the road, sharing the suffering of my people, eating with those who will give me shelter, and telling all people of the love of God."
Knowing Christ Through Experience
Sundar's ministry was marked by a deep commitment to contextualizing the Christian faith within Indian culture. He emphasized knowing Christ through personal experience, saying, "Now I preach, not because I know Christ through what is written about him, but because I know him from my own experience. He is the Living Savior." In 1929, he embarked on a final journey to Tibet and was never seen again. Though his earthly journey ended in mystery, his legacy of faith and transformation endures.
