Jesus teaches us to pray: ‘Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’?

The original temptation to mistrust God and to impute negative motives to him comes from the tempter. ‘Did God really say …’.

The real break between man and God lies in the fact that man questions whether God means well with his instructions.

You often have to look behind a story in order not to impute negative motives to God.

God wants to save us from our self-imposed downfall and prevent abuse.

‘Lead us not into temptation’. This means: ‘God help us to trust you in all situations’.

With the prayer ‘Lead us not into temptation’, we acknowledge our weakness (need for help) and distance ourselves from false self-confidence. We are aware that we need the Holy Spirit because he helps us to trust in God.

The kingdom of God does not begin by creating a perfect world, but by bringing salvation into this world.

The kingdom of God is not about presenting something, but about admitting that we all need change.

In this kingdom, it is not the sword that rules, but the word. People are invited in a promotional way, but not forced to do anything. Continue reading The great theme of Jesus is the kingdom of God. →

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

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The story of the Good Samaritan is not about caring for the sick, but about stopping my busy life for someone I meet who needs my help.

Jesus is asked what the key to eternal life is. The answer is: love of God and love of neighbour. This simple sentence sums up the Old Testament.

But the questioner immediately tries to talk his way out of it by asking who his neighbour is. Jesus responds with a story (Luke 10:25-37).

My neighbour is not a person of my choice. I do not have to seek and fulfil a specific task.

I become a neighbour by changing my behaviour towards the people I meet.