Home call of my Spiritual Mentor Sadhu Jebaraj - A true servant of God in Sadhu's robe
The
early days of my Christian life were influenced by three elders. They
are Brother N. Samuel, “Deva Ekkalam”, Kotagiris, Tamil Nadu, late
Brother Glady Easwaraj of Good Samaritan Fellowship, who was my Pastor
in Delhi and then a Christian Sadhu, namely Sadhu Jebaraj of Andhra
Pradesh. Sadhu Jebaraj was called home on 12th July 2011 when he was serving his Master faithfully in Dummegudem, Andhra Pradesh.
Sadhu
Jebaraj was born on 2-7-1947 with the name of J. Thangamani Jebaraj
Joel to a godly couple in Valparai, Tamil Nadu, namely J.R.D Jonathan
and Renjitham Jonathan. They originally hailed from Sayerpuram,
Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. He had two elder sisters, one younger
sister and one younger brother. Sadhu was born in Valparai where his
father was employed in a tea garden. When he was 4 months old, he had
suffered a terrible disease and was on the death bed. But his mother
cried unto God for saving his life and God heard her prayer.
Accordingly, he was christened “Jebaraj”, meaning in Tamil God’s gift of
a king through prayer. He studied in Sayerpuram, Tirunelveli.
In
1965, the Lord met Sadhu Jebaraj in Akkalai Estate, Valparai and saved
him. God created a desire in his heart that he would live only for His
glory. He asked God for three gifts. God granted three gifts. These are
– (i) I would accomplish everything, be it a small thing or a big
thing only for the glory of God. (ii) I would never grieve the heart of
God. (iii) If anyone asks any question, the Lord may immediately give me
Bible verses to give my answer.
Sadhu
Jebaraj studied B.Sc in St. Xavier College, Palayamkottai staying in
the college hostel. During his final year of study, on 10-10-1966, when
he was climbing the steps in the college building, he had a paralytic
attack with the result that he became immobile. He suffered a lot from
1970 to 1973. He could not be healed despite the best treatment taken in
CMC, Vellore Hospital. Afterwards, after much prayers and physiotherapy
exercises, he was able to walk but limping slightly.
In
1973, he ministered among the Hindu Sadhus in Rishikesh, Uttar Kashi
and God performed great things there. When he knelt down on the banks of
Ganges River to thank Him, the Lord sent a cloud over him to protect
him from the scorching sun. At that time, the Lord revealed to him that
he should become a Sadhu. After some days, when he was praying, he had a
vision of his wearing Sadhu’s saffron robe.
He
started ministering in Tamil Nadu. After the death of his mother on
5-9-1979 and of his father on 8-11-1974, he shifted to Andhra Pradesh
for ministry. In Dornakal of Andhra Pradesh, a mission field of Indian
Missionary Society, he was ministering to a tribe, called Lampadi with
the help of a Telugu translator Sanjeev Rao. He also learnt Telugu and
started preaching the gospel in Telugu, especially in villages. God used
him mightily in delivering the people from evil spirits, witchcrafts,
etc. In Dummegudem, Andhra Pradesh, he ministered among another tribe
called Koya and established a church christened Cross Fellowship. There
he built a church and a house to live there. In 30 villages of Koya
tribe, about 800 tribal people accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and
they became members of this church. In Dornakal, every month, Sadhu
used to feed the poor people numbering about 500.
On
20-6-2006, while driving his motor cycle, he met with an accident and
suffered a fracture on his hip. Even then with his weakness, he used to
drive his car all the way to Tirunelveli, Nagerkoil, and Bangalore and
ministered in the churches there. He used a walker as he was unable to
walk.
After
this accident, he also ministered in Valparai area and conducted
cottage prayer meetings in many houses including the house of one Prince
Austin. According to Prince Austin, Sadhu was carried by some of his
friends to many places when he ministered in Valparai area. Despite
opposition from the local C.S.I Presbyter, Sadhu continued his prayer
meetings at Velonie and Malakiparai Tea estates. Prince Austin wondered
how Sadhu ministered to the people when he compared the present day
preachers who kept their eyes on collection of money as a reward for
this great gospel work. I had also noticed on many occasions that Sadhu
refused to carry much money in his purse. He always gave his money to
the poor people, especially, the poor saints.
Finally,
he underwent a fast for 40 days taking only water and he became
physically weak after losing 30 kg of weight. His sister’s husband
Rev.Dr.I. Victor Manuevelraj invited him to Tirunelveli for treatment.
Fearing that he would be taken forcefully to Tirunelveli, he refused to
go to Tirunelveli and indicated to his brother in law that he would pass
into eternity shortly. He had a saving of Rs.13, 000/- in his hand and
asked the believers to spend this money for his cremation. He did not
have any big bank balance. His only asset is the church building and
the believers who worship in this church. On 11-7-2011, he was admitted
to a hospital in Badrachalam, near Dummegudem. On 12-7-2011, he entered
glory to be with his Master.
My days with Sadhu Jebaraj
For
the first time, when I was a bachelor working in government service in
Delhi, I met Sadhu Jebaraj and Brother N. Samuel in Grand Trunk Express
on my return journey from Kerala to New Delhi after my holidays. Both
Sadhu and N. Samuel were on their way to the Himalayan Kingdom for
preaching the gospel. At that time, I was not saved. I just invited him
to my one room bachelor accommodation in Delhi. He came to my house and
stayed there. He did not condemn me as I was not saved. He simply
prayed in my room and left.
After
my marriage in 1977, both my wife and I were saved. In 1978, on our
invitation, he visited our one room house in Delhi. The house owner who
was a Punjabi Hindu was surprised to see a Christian Sadhu in our house.
In 1979, he again visited our house in Janakpuri, New Delhi when we got
a one-bed room house. Just because we opened our small one bed room
house which was rented by us for accommodating a saint, the Lord blessed
us with a flat in Delhi (where we stay now) and another flat in Chennai
though I was not willing to buy the second flat in Chennai. He
preferred our small, one-bed room house to the very big houses of
pastors in Delhi. He preferred to sleep on the floor only. I always used
to see him praying only even when I woke up in the middle of the night.
The
whole Bible was in his heart only. Without opening his bible, he
preached. He quoted any verse of the Bible from his memory. He tried
to memorize the whole Bible, chapter by chapter. Of course, he knew many
of the chapters by heart. He loved us very much. He conducted house
prayer meetings in our Christian friends’ house in Delhi and gave
sermons in our churches including the Cathedral Church of Redemption. He
always stressed on holy life. Words of prophecy used to flow from his
lips. Words of wisdom came from his mouth whenever he spoke.
In
1980, he put me into the ministry. On his encouragement, I started an
English Magazine, namely, Glory of His Cross. Simultaneously, a dear
brother in Palayamkottai, R. Ambrose, an editor of Tamil Magazine, Thina
Thanthi, who was also mentored by Sadhu was exhorted by Sadhu to start
a Tamil Magazine, “Glory of Jesus”. When the Lord ordained Glory of His
Cross in English as a prophetic ministry, He ordained “Glory of Jesus”
in Tamil as an evangelical ministry. At that time, the Holy Spirit
gave me a number of prophetic visions (which are available in my website
at http://www.gloryofhiscross.org/visions.htm)
and Sadhu used to spend time interpreting all such visions and to write
me long letters in his own hand writing. Then one day he told me that I
should now start interpreting such dreams and visions. Then as I
started interpreting visions, the Lord gave me wisdom in doing this
ministry. Then I offered my help to Sadhu who was receiving a large
number of letters for prayers and for guidance. Sadhu authorized me to
write letters to them on his behalf. I used to interpret their dreams
also. As I was writing such letters through my type writer, I felt a
tremendous power of the Holy Spirit through the gift of the word of
wisdom operating through my ministry.
After some days, By His abundant grace, I started my ministry standing on my own legs.
Afterwards,
I invited him to my father-in-law’s house in Tiruchirapalli during my
holidays and he visited us. At that time, we were not blessed with any
child. He prayed for us with a great burden. My son was born on
22-11-1985. Then, on my invitation to my home town i.e. Munnar and my
sister’s house in Madurai during my holidays. Sadhu visited us and
stayed in my mother’s house in Munnar and ministered there. He gave
water baptism to my late mother on the banks of Munnar River. After
many years, we came to Neyveli from Delhi on my transfer in 1987. During
1990, on my invitation, he visited our house and stayed with us. He
preached in the Arcot Lutheran Church there. At that time, I had some
problem with my career and he prayed for me. Afterwards, I completely
lost touch with him. I could not find out his address in Dummegudem in
Andhra Pradesh, though I had asked some of my friends in Andhra Pradesh
to locate him. But they could not find his whereabouts. A sincere
servant of God always remains in the wilderness. He was not ministering
in cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc. He was in some
obscure corner of India, ministering to the tribal people.
He
had gifted me his personal bible which he had read tearfully. Each
page was neatly underlined and his dedication was written on the
margins. He was fluent in English, Tamil and Telugu. He also preached
in Hindi.
He
was not hesitating to rebuke any pastor or any elder on his face. He
stood for the truth and led a very simple life. He had a prophetic
calling. But he also performed his evangelical ministry which was his
passion. Even though I had lost touch with him, I used to pray for him
with a great burden. During the month of August 2011, I was mysteriously
led by the Holy Spirit to talk to Brother Ambrose of “Glory of Jesus”
ministry in Palayakmottai when the latter informed me about the home
call of our spiritual mentor, Sadhu Jebaraj.
Sadhu’s letter to churches written in 1980
Whatever
we eat and drink, it should be for the glory of God. Our words and
works should glorify God. Our worldly position and talents should
glorify God. In Churches, our worship services should inspire holiness
in us and revive us. The offerings and gifts given in the Name of God
should be spent for the salvation of souls through the gospel. This is
the truth we learn from His word.
Whatever the Lord does in your life, it is only for your good. Whatever the Lord does in your life, it is only for His glory.
My
dear brother, sister, the Lord does only good for you because He is
good. He never does any evil for you. Meditate on James 1 :12 – 17. When
tempted, do not be disheartened. Do not murmur against Him. Do not give
up your prayer. Do not stop going to your church. The Lord will never
do anything evil for you at all.
- Job Anbalagan
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