An Indian fakir had been living on a bed of spikes for 18 months. Why was he doing this?

The desperate man said this: “I worship God in this way but I confess that the pricks of these spikes are not so bad as the pain I get from my sins and evil desires. My object is to crush the desires of self that I may gain salvation.”

There are four ways of looking at this self-torturing fakir.

Some say: “Get off the bed of spikes and lie down on this Bonaparte French bed worth £2,700.”

Others contend: “I so respect your authentic faith but I choose a different path without the spikes.”

Some say: “You are right to lie on this cruel bed and thereby atone for your sins but you will need to stay there much longer!”

Paul, the apostle would say: “No need to lie on a bed of spikes. Come to Jesus. He died for you! He is the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1:24)

Mark Roques
Categories: RealityBites

Mark Roques

Mark taught Philosophy and Religious Education at Prior Park College, Bath, for many years. As Director of RealityBites he has developed a rich range of resources for youth workers and teachers. He has spoken at conferences in the UK, Holland, South Korea, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Mark is a lively storyteller and the author of four books, including The Spy, the Rat and the Bed of Nails: Creative Ways of Talking about Christian Faith. His work is focused on storytelling and how this can help us to communicate the Christian faith. He has written many articles for the Baptist Times, RE Today, Youthscape, Direction magazine and the Christian Teachers Journal.