Tag Archives: Jesus

Bible

Jesus’ surprising statement about the way

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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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Bible

Divine power in the name of Jesus

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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, Jesus

You will be my martyrs

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The disciples want to know whether Jesus will now make Israel into a great and mighty kingdom (Acts 1:6).

Jesus replies that there is a time for everything. He does not deny an earthly kingdom, but first comes a time of waiting, then of witnessing in all the world and then the visible return of Jesus to this earth.

His reign begins in the place where people have decided against him (Jerusalem), then continues into the surrounding area (Judea), to the despised Samaritans and to the end of the world. Continue reading You will be my martyrs →

Bible

The Sadducees’ expectation of the Messiah

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The Sadducees were the liberals.

They rejected everything supernatural. God is a nice thought, but it has nothing directly to do with life. Religion is a beautiful tradition that needs to be preserved. But it all ends with death.

We find an indication of this in Acts 23:8, where it says: “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.”

Josephus, a Jewish historian, writes in “Antiquities” (ant. XVIII 1,4): “The doctrine of the Sadducees allows the soul to perish with the body and recognises no other regulations than the law” (Five Books of Moses).

In the dispute with the Sadducees, Jesus said in Matthew 22:31-32: “As for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”

It is a hint from Jesus that not everything ends with death.

Bible

The key to eternal life

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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.

Bible

Epiphany – Feast of the Appearance

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every 6 January

Epiphany means the appearance of the Ruler.

Western churches remember the wise men from the East. They honour the newborn Jesus as a king.

The Eastern Churches commemorate the baptism of Jesus with the revelation of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is the moment when Jesus reveals himself to the world as the Saviour (appears – Epiphany).

Epiphany means the presence of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Depending on the region and church, the birth of Jesus is commemorated with the adoration of the Jewish shepherds, the adoration of the wise men (Matthew 2), his baptism and his first miracle at the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-11).

Epiphany and the birth of Christ were originally celebrated on 6 January. The 6th of January was considered the beginning of the year, marking the end of the depths of winter.

The presence of God in our lives is a central element of faith. Paul writes in Colossians 1:27: “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.

Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) wrote in a hymn: “How shall I receive you and how shall I meet you?” God’s coming is not a story of the past or an expectation of the distant future. It is a present experience that makes life possible in spite of all inner and outer difficulties.

Bible, Israel

Jewish conceptions about the Messiah

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According to Judaism, the return of the people will be followed by deliverance from foreign rule. The exiles will return, harmony and peace will spread.

According to some prophets, there will be material abundance, the land will become fertile, the sick and disabled will recover and human life will be prolonged.

The aim is to bring people back to the lost paradise described in Isaiah 11:6-9, where the wolf, lamb, lion and other animals live peacefully with humans.

According to rabbinic understanding, the Messiah is not seen as the saviour of individual souls. In order for the Messiah’s kingdom of peace to come, people must strive for active retribution and return to religiosity.

Jesus, on the other hand, spoke of a change of heart and criticised the magical understanding of external rites. “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the heart through the mouth; this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:11, 18).

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Bible, Jesus

Christ the King

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Matthew tells us by the birth of Jesus, that he is born as King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2).

In the Passion many mockingly refer to Jesus as King. They have no idea that here is the one who represents true kingship.

A kingship that is willingly at the service of others. Matthew 23:11: “The greatest among you shall be your servant.”

Bible, Jesus

Eternal life

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Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

Eternal life is not the reward for living a good life or being “right believing”.

Eternal life begins when we entrust our lives to Jesus (believe), thereby honouring the Father in heaven and allowing ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Eternal life is a continuation of our relationship with God.

Jesus is asked what the key to eternal life is. The answer is love of God and love of neighbour (Luke 10:25-28).

Bible, Jesus

Conflict management by Jesus

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It is exciting to see how Jesus resolves the conflict with the angry people in John 8:

– Keep calm.

– Do not respond immediately with counter-arguments.

– Take your time. Take notes.

– Ask a reflective question.

– Give everyone the opportunity to withdraw elegantly from the discussion.

– Give them the opportunity to make a fresh start.