Mary’s family was different than many others in her south Indian village. They were Christians in India – Jacobites - members of an ancient faith that can be traced back to the apostle Thomas in 52 A.D.Jacobite Christians in India claim the tradition that the apostle sailed a well-established trade route between the Mediterranean kingdoms and India dating back to the time of Solomon (970-930 B.C.). Thomas preached the Gospel throughout the subcontinent’s northern territories and eventually traveled south, where he established seven churches and a Christian community.
Several hundred years later, Syrian Christians migrated to the area, and there met Christians in India from Thomas’ community. They joined together and adopted the orthodox rites and liturgies of the Syrian Church of Antioch. Since the 4th Century, a number of denominations have formed from this base, including the Jacobite Church of Mary’s faith.
Though Mary’s religious roots ran deep into the history of Christianity in India, Mary herself never felt a personal connection to Christ. Her life seemed to be going just fine, Mary explains: “I married a nice man, and had a beautiful baby girl.” But then tragedy struck Mary’s life. “When my daughter was not yet three, my husband died,” she continues. “I did not know what to do, and after that my life was full of mistakes.” Without a personal relationship with Jesus, Mary did not have the foundation other Christians in India seemed to have. So in the midst of her crisis, Mary turned completely away from God.
For years following the death of her husband, Mary worked as a prostitute to support her child. Though barely surviving, Mary believed she was doing the best she could for herself and her daughter. But, when her child, too, died in a tragic accident, Mary was devastated. Mary decided suicide was the only way to end her grief and despair. But God had another plan for Mary. Through the heart and hand of other Christians in India, God intervened and sent Brother Benny, a man with a heart for God’s word and a Bible-League trained teacher.
When Brother Benny entered Mary’s life, he introduced her to Bible study and shared with her God’s deep love for her. As Mary’s Bible study increased, she began to connect personally with some of the people in Bible about whom she ready. “[Brother Benny] came to my house to share a Bible study with me, and the story of the Samaritan woman really touched me,” Mary recalls. “My life was similar to hers, and she understood that Jesus had forgiven her sins.” As centuries of Christians in India before her, Mary finally understood her need for Jesus and what it meant to have a personal relationship with Him. Mary testifies, “I decided to commit my life to the Lord and study God’s Word more deeply.” Praise God!
Now Mary knows that the Lord is always with her, and in spite of her grief, she feels great joy. Also now, with Brother Benny and other Christians in India, Mary herself is working to spread the Gospel. “I am sharing this joy of the Gospel with everybody!” Mary rejoices. Christianity in India, though claimed by only a small percentage of the population, is spreading. By the power of the Gospel and the faithful ministry of Christians in India like Mary and Brother Benny, we pray that millions more will come to saving faith in Jesus.
