In the middle of the market, someone calls, “Come to me, who is thirsty. Come and buy! You don’t have to pay. Those who drink regular water will soon be thirsty again, but those who drink my water will never have thirst again! What you buz with the money you earn will not truly feed you. Come to me, and you will live!” Jesus refers to the prophet Isaiah (55:1) and invites everyone to trust him. Thus he claims that he is the messenger of God and the expected Redeemer. Whoever places his trust in him gets eternal life and now belongs to God’s family. And even more: After his return to heaven (= ascension) Jesus sends the Holy Spirit as his representative, as advocate and guarantor of eternal life. Thus divine power comes into the life of his followers. The liberating gospel flows like a never-ending spring into the whole world. Those who follow Jesus enjoy the refreshing “water of life”.
What do you think about the spring that Jesus is talking about? Do you drink from this spring?
Mitten auf dem Markt ruft einer: «Her zu mir, wer Durst hat. Kommt und kauft! Zahlen müsst ihr nicht. Was ihr mit eurem sauer verdienten Geld zusammenrafft, macht euch nicht satt. Kommt zu mir, so werdet ihr leben!» Auf den Propheten Jesaja (55,1) bezieht sich Jesus und lädt alle ein, ihm zu vertrauen. Damit erhebt er den Anspruch, dass er der Gesandte Gottes und der erwartete Messias ist. Wer sein Vertrauen auf ihn setzt, bekommt ewiges Leben und gehört zu Gottes Familie. Jesus gibt uns aber noch viel mehr.
Nach der Auferstehung gibt sich Jesus seinen Jüngern zu erkennen. Er lässt sich anfassen um alle Zweifel zu beseitigen. Nach letzten Anweisungen kehrt er vor ihren Augen in einer Wolke in den Himmel zurück (=Himmelfahrt). Kurze Zeit darauf sendet Jesus den Heiligen Geist als seinen Stellvertreter, als Fürsprecher und Garanten des ewigen Lebens. Damit kommt göttliche Kraft ins Leben seiner Nachfolger. Das befreiende Evangelium fliesst wie eine nie versiegende Quelle in die ganze Welt hinein. Wer Jesus nachfolgt, geniesst das erfrischende «Wasser des Lebens» und freut sich auf seine Wiederkunft! Er hat versprochen genau so wieder zu kommen wie er gegangen ist! – Seine Auferstehung nach der Kreuzigung, wie er sich anfassen liess und über 500 Männern und Frauen erschienen ist, unterstreichen die Aussagen und Prophetien der Bibel. Sind Sie genügend vorbereitet wenn Jesus wieder kommt?
Isn’t it refreshing to sit with a good friend and to share life together? To learn from them and walk together through the good and the bad. It is equally precious to be encouraged by them to take up a challenge or to be called back to reconsider if the path you’ve chosen to take is the best one. A friend gives their best for you. Through healthy relationships we flourish, discover our potential, are refined and move forward. We are social beings who are created to have contact with one another. Without community our hearts wither up on the inside, whether we realize it or not. Our Creator has made our souls to live in relationships, with him and with others. He wants to shape us through other people and himself. This is his gift of love to us. Jesus has shown true community to us by choosing disciples to walk through life with him. He even tells us that when two or three gather together as his followers, he is there among them. (Matthew 18:20) That is powerful and something not to be taken for granted! When God’s people come together, he is among them … the creator of the whole universe is among them.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
Genesis 2:18
How do you cultivate relationships? How do you experience friendships? Is God at the center of it?
Es ist wohltuend, mit einem guten Freund zusammen zu sitzen und von ihm zu lernen. Ebenso kostbar ist es, ermutigt zu werden, eine Herausforderung anzupacken oder zurückgepfiffen zu werden und den eingeschlagenen Weg nochmals zu überdenken. Ein echter Freund gibt normalerweise das Beste für mich.
Durch gesunde Beziehungen blühen wir auf, entdecken unser Potenzial, werden geschliffen und kommen vorwärts. Wir sind soziale Wesen, die auf Kontakte angewiesen sind. Ohne Gemeinschaft vertrocknen wir innerlich. Der Schöpfer hat unsere Seele auf Beziehung angelegt. Er will uns formen, weil das zu seinem Konzept gehört. Das ist sein Liebesgeschenk an uns. Jesus hat uns Gemeinschaft vorgelebt.
Wie pflegen Sie Beziehungen? Wie leben Sie Freundschaften? Steht Gott darin im Zentrum?
Es ist nicht gut, dass der Mensch so allein ist. Ich will ein Wesen schaffen, das ihm hilft und das zu ihm passt.
“Talking the talk but not walking the walk” is a popular saying, to describe hypocrisy. Unfortunately, hypocrisy appears not only in religious settings but all over the world. Hypocrisy destroys credibility and ruins relationships. Jesus uncovered hypocrisy with all his might. Throughout many passages in the New Testament, Jesus exposes dishonesty and brings forth the truth. Thus he made bitter enemies among the religious leaders. Instead of turning away from their untruthful ways they choose to become resentful and hard hearted towards the son of God.
Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross for the transgressions (sin) of all people. He forgives all who ask him! People who have learned to understand this live in freedom with God and others. The basis of “discipleship” is to admit one’s faults and be forgiven. Sadly, it is often easier to use a little religious paint to cover up our mistakes, than to look closely and honestly at our lives and ask for forgiveness.
It takes courage to be honest, open and transparent!
Is there any hypocrisy in your life? If so, take courage! Be open, be honest, be transparent. Allow God to transform your heart from the inside out.
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Jesus quotes from the book of Isaiah in Mark 7:6
How do you feel about being honest with others?Have you received forgiveness from Jesus and found rest in Him?
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