Bible

Jesus’ surprising statement about the way

Leave a comment

Jesus says in John 14:6: ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’.

This is the answer to Thomas’ question as to how we can come to the same place that Jesus is going preparing a living place for us by the heavenly Father.

That’s a strong statement from Jesus in an interpretation-orientated culture. Judaism is characterised precisely by the fact that every rabbi finds his own explanations and thus defines his own path.

Jesus says: I am the correct interpretation. Truth is defined by God. And true life is created in connection with him.

But most people fight tooth and nail against the idea that they need divine help.

sculpture Peter Kuhn, Wermatswil

.

Bible

Divine power in the name of Jesus

Leave a comment

The healing of the severely disabled man at the Beautiful Gate in Jerusalem (Acts 3:1-26) is a public sign that the “divine work through Jesus” did not end with his death on the cross but continues in believers. The same power in which Jesus travelled is at work in the name of Jesus.

When Peter takes the hand of the man paralysed from birth, he suddenly Continue reading Divine power in the name of Jesus →

Bible

Life is more than eating and drinking and beautiful rituals

Leave a comment

Perhaps the slogan “it’s all over when you die” is an obstacle to think about God today.

If we refocus our attention on the fact that our destiny is not just a fleeting shadow, but is orientated towards eternal communion with God, our priorities will change.

With a view to eternity, it makes sense to prioritise and give up some things or selflessly commit ourselves to others.

Those who live without the knowledge of a future remain stuck in the meaninglessness of life and have little strength to get through difficult situations and be hopeful.

Bible

The impacts of the Holy Spirit

Leave a comment

In addition to a genuine interest in God, the Holy Spirit brings knowledge about God and our wrongdoings. We realise that we cannot save ourselves and grasp the hand of God that he extends to us in Jesus.

When we hold on to Jesus, the Holy Spirit causes us to love the heavenly Father, Jesus and the Bible, the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit causes us to accept God as a trustworthy Father. An inner knowledge arises in us that we are children of God. The Holy Spirit also works divine peace in us.

The Holy Spirit also creates the fruits of the Holy Spirit in us and gives us the gifts we need for our tasks. Our lives change slowly. Why slowly? No fruit suddenly pops up. It grows and matures over time.

Bible

The Holy Spirit give a genuine interest in God

Leave a comment

The Holy Spirit speaks to all people. John 16:8 says: “ And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”

God speaks to all people. The decisive factor is how we react to this. Do we want to open ourselves up to him or do we barricade ourselves in and want to keep him away from us?

The Holy Spirit causes us to have a genuine interest in God. So the question is: do I want to know more of God or am I just questioning him?

Jesus

The Holy Spirit places Jesus at the centre

Leave a comment

At Pentecost, Peter picks up his listeners by explaining what has happened (Acts 2:14-21).

It is important for him to say that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This Lord is Jesus, as he points out in verse 36.

Calling on Jesus in prayer is the hallmark of Christians (Acts 9:20-21). In Joel 3:5 quoted by Peter, Lord means God YHWH. Jesus is therefore God and Messiah. Today he sits at the right hand of God and through him we receive God’s Holy Spirit.

Even for David, Jesus is his Lord (verses 34-35). In the midst of our failures, we can turn to Jesus because the heavenly father has made him Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36).  Continue reading The Holy Spirit places Jesus at the centre →

Israel

Al-Aqsa Flood and the red heifer

Leave a comment

Update about the rumors 2024: There is no ceremony on April 22nd, which is Passover Eve, when Jews will all concentrate on the Passover lamb, not on a burned red cow. There is no altar anywhere in Jerusalem. There is no prophecy of a red heifer whatsoever.

The “Al-Aqsa Flood” is what Hamas named the October 7th invasion and massacre. This is not a new thing. The attempt to create a pan Islamic unity in the fight to eliminate Israel is leading them always to talk about the Temple Mount. “Al-Aqsa is in danger” (Arabic: الأقصى في خطر) is a popular political slogan used to oppose efforts by Jewish hardliners to take over the Temple Mount. The annual “Al-Aqsa in Danger Festival” was in some years (1996-2015) the most-attended Islamic festival in Israel.

The rise in numbers of Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount to over 50,000 in the past couple of years made Islamic fanatics worry and get angry.

However, the red heifer wasn’t specified as the reason for the October attack when it was announced on that horrific Saturday morning. What has been mentioned was the constant “invasion” of Jews to the Al Aqsa holy site.

It wasn’t until 100 days into the war that Hamas spokesperson Abu Ubeidah mentioned the words “red cows” in his speech. Why? Continue reading Al-Aqsa Flood and the red heifer →

Bible

The synod

Leave a comment

The shock must first be dealt with (Acts 1:12-26), that someone who had even been entrusted with money was a traitor. The first Christians withdrew, reconciled themselves with history and had to find a new way of working together.

The name Judas Iscariot could indicate that he was associated with the particularly radical movement of the Sicarii (Dagger Men). This was a subgroup of the Zealots. They Continue reading The synod →

send me your tip