Neelakandan's Spiritual Awakening Through the New Testament

 Neelakandan treasured the New Testament Bible as a priceless gem, its words gleaming like gold in his hands. In quiet moments, he immersed himself in Matthew’s profound verses, each reading sparking wonder and enthusiasm. Questions swirled within him: Was Jesus divine? Purely human? A rebel? A revolutionary? Perhaps all these woven together? These thoughts thrilled Neelakandan.

Jesus, born to a humble carpenter in Jerusalem, fearlessly challenged the entrenched caste divisions and societal complexities of His time. His bold persona and forthright nature prompted Neelakandan to reflect deeply. He saw a striking parallel: just as the Jews excluded others in the name of religion and fear of God, Travancore’s rulers schemed against the common people, sowing division. This conspiracy became clear to Neelakandan.

Jesus’ teachings resonated deeply, especially words like: “If you have two coats, share with someone who has none; share food with the hungry; whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.” These pierced Neelakandan’s heart, stirring his conscience for offering devotion to God while overlooking the hungry. He embraced the noble truth that loving both humanity and God is vital for spiritual fulfillment. He understood that proclaiming faith alone does not open heaven’s gates; actions aligned with God’s will are essential. Only by bearing his burdens and following Jesus’ teachings could Neelakandan find his place in the kingdom of heaven.

Those who wield the Bible for show or indulge in fleeting pleasures hold little significance. True faith is not about causing unrest but rising within the community, standing for the people, and easing their suffering. The path to heaven demands overcoming adversity and enduring hardships for the greater good.

What a profound philosophy! There is no room for pretense or empty displays. Prayer is not a public performance but a heartfelt dialogue with the divine, rooted in dutiful actions and bringing joy by wiping away others’ tears. Was this not the ideal to strive for—to align with Jesus? The thought set Neelakandan’s heart racing. Jesus did not demand endless fasting or prolonged prayers; a single prayer sufficed: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

This prayer, free of greed or pleas for vast wealth, seeks not accumulation but forgiveness—not retribution, but the grace to forgive. As Neelakandan delved deeper into the Bible, he uncovered transformative ideas and seeds of hope capable of igniting revolutions.

In the Jerusalem church, chaos prevailed. Jesus entered to find the temple transformed into a marketplace for Passover offerings, filled with the clamor of bargaining and deceitful sellers. Animals were tethered to pillars, and the scene resembled a battlefield. With commanding authority, Jesus declared, “Do not make My Father’s house a den of thieves,” overturning tables, scattering coins, and driving out merchants and animals. He condemned those selling doves, demanding, “Get these out of here!”

The cheaters challenged Him, asking who He was to act so boldly. Unfazed, Jesus fashioned a whip, cleared the temple courts, and faced their demand for credentials. With fervent conviction, He proclaimed, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

Neelakandan saw a parallel between this scene and Travancore’s religious practices. Thievery persisted, cloaked as worship, deceiving people and barring the common folk from temples based on caste—a conspiracy to perpetuate poverty and injustice. Reflecting on the scripture, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Neelakandan marveled at its divine wisdom.

Inspired, he contemplated following Jesus’ example, wondering why he should not sow seeds of liberation in Travancore and challenge the Namboodiris’ injustices. With his mind alight with these ideas, he sought out De Lannoy.

The Story of Job and Neelakandan’s Inspiration

A Man of Praise in Prosperity

There once lived a man named Job, a patriarch of integrity, blessed abundantly with livestock, wealth, and a loving family. Unlike many who turn to God only in moments of suffering, Job was faithful in times of peace. He consistently offered sacrifices of thanksgiving, worshipping God with a sincere and humble heart.

Satan's Envy and God’s Confidence

Satan, estranged from divine light, approached the Lord with malice in his heart. Seeing Job’s unwavering faith, he grew envious. “Does Job fear God for nothing?” he challenged. Satan accused Job of loving God only because of the blessings he enjoyed.

God, knowing the depths of Job’s righteousness, allowed Satan to test him—yet set a boundary: Job’s life was not to be touched.

Calamity Upon Calamity

In swift succession, tragedy struck. Marauders and fire consumed Job’s herds. Servants were slain. A mighty wind collapsed the house where his children were gathered, burying them in death. In a single day, Job was stripped of nearly everything he held dear.

Yet Job responded not with rebellion but with reverence. He tore his garments, fell to the ground in grief, and uttered words etched into eternity:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Unbroken Faith in Deepening Darkness

Still unsatisfied, Satan returned to accuse Job again. “Skin for skin!” he said. “A man will give all he has for his own life.” And so, God permitted Satan to afflict Job’s body, but not his soul.

Covered in sores from head to toe, Job sat among ashes, scraping his wounds with a shard of pottery. His skin turned pale, raw, and oozing. Once revered, he was now repulsive to all who knew him. His friends distanced themselves, and even his wife, once tender and devoted, could no longer bear his appearance.

Isolation, Accusation, and Unwavering Trust

Job had lost everything—his children, wealth, health, and dignity. Those who once shared in his joy now condemned him, suggesting hidden sins as the cause of his suffering. Even lepers received some pity, but Job was left alone.

His wife, overwhelmed and embittered, urged him, “Curse God and die.” Her words wounded deeper than disease, revealing a heart that had forgotten the blessings of God. Job’s sorrow grew heavier—not merely from physical pain, but from the absence of love and understanding.

Yet Job did not curse. Though his voice trembled and his heart questioned the silence of heaven, his soul did not waver. He held fast to the truth: that he came into the world with nothing, and would leave it with nothing, but God alone was still worthy of praise.

Satan’s Defeat and Heaven’s Triumph

Satan, lurking and waiting for Job to fall, was defeated—not by force, but by faith. Job’s silence thundered louder than words; his patient suffering crowned him with unseen victory. At last, Satan turned away, shamed and undone.

Divine Restoration

Then came the Lord’s mercy. With a word, He restored all that was lost. Job was healed, his fortunes doubled, his household renewed. Sons and daughters were born to him, his name again honored, his days filled with peace.

What had seemed the ashes of defeat became the throne of redemption. The man who once sat in ruin now rose in glory, transformed by suffering into one who knew God not only in blessing but in trial.

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Neelakandan Hears and is Moved

When Neelakandan heard this sacred account, he did not question its historicity or attempt to weigh its miracles against reason. Instead, his heart opened. The story, soaked in suffering and faith, resonated deeply within him.

His eyes glistened. His soul, wearied by the injustices of his world, found solace in the steadfastness of Job. A silent transformation began.

One who had shared this tale with him asked,

“Is this the essence of your Christian faith?”

Neelakandan replied, “Yes. But more than Job, we follow Jesus Christ, the Lord of Compassion.”

Christ: The Fulfillment of Job’s Endurance

“Jesus,” he continued, “gave Himself entirely for the world. Even as nails pierced His hands, He forgave His tormentors. He turned the other cheek. He challenged the proud, broke the chains of caste, and confronted religious oppression. His mission was not cloaked in superstition, but lit by truth and mercy.

He stood with the outcast, uplifted the lowly, and called all people to a new life of grace. What Travancore needs today is the fire of that early Christian community—the Church of Jerusalem, alive with love and justice.”

And so, moved by conviction, a copy of the New Testament was placed into Neelakandan’s hands. Within those sacred pages, he would encounter not just stories—but the living Word. A journey had begun that would one day lead to martyrdom, glory, and sainthood.