It was in November 1980 that approximately 3,000 people lost their lives due to an earthquake in southern Italy. When I saw this horrible suffering, it turned my young university student life upside down. My expectations about a career and success were severely shaken up.
With tears in her eyes, one Italian woman who had been scarred by life experiences told me, “I have lost everything. My parents, my husband, the children, the house, and the farm. But no one can steal Jesus Christ from me. He will stay with me forever!” Struck to the core, I cried out to God, “Lord, I also want to have the kind of faith this woman has. Please help me!” Although I knew the Bible, I suddenly realized: “I need Jesus to change me from the inside out!”
Now I know: “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross”
Colossians 2:13b-14
Are you also sure that your certificate of debt has been ripped apart?
Mal angenommen, du wärst am Ertrinken. Es wirft dir jemand einen Rettungsring entgegen. Würdest du ihn ergreifen? – Keine Frage, ist doch klar!
Als Seelsorger habe ich mehrere Notsituationen erlebt. Ich versuchte alles, um den Menschen zu helfen. Oft war ich von den Antworten geschockt: «Sorry, dein Rettungsring hat nicht meine Lieblingsfarbe!»
Im Klartext: «Deine Hilfe habe ich mir ganz anders vorgestellt!» – Wenn es um Leben und Tod geht, sollte doch die Farbe keine Rolle spielen!
Jesus demonstrierte uns 1:1, wer Gott ist und bewies seine Rede durch grosse Zeichen und Wunder. Über Jahrhunderte hindurch haben viele Menschen den Rettungsring ergriffen und trotz schwierigen Umständen, Frieden, Versöhnung und Hilfe erfahren. Jesus kann an uns ein Wunder tun, aber er begegnet jedem Menschen so, wie es für ihn zielführend ist. Es lohnt sich, auf die verändernde Kraft seiner Worte zu hören und ihm persönlich zu begegnen.
Sie sagten: «Was Jesus da redet, geht zu weit! So etwas kann man nicht mit anhören!»
Johannes 6,60
Gottes Rettungsangebot ist bereit für dich. Ergreifst du es?
Es ist nicht der grosse Glaube, der dich rettet, sondern der wahre Glaube! Die Rettung beruht nicht auf dem Glauben, sondern auf Christus, dem der Glaube vertraut.
Suppose you were drowning. Someone throws you a life preserver. Would you grab on to it? There’s no question about it. Of course you would!
As a counselor, I have encountered many desperate situations. I tried everything to help the people involved. I was often shocked by their response: “Sorry, your life preserver isn’t my favorite color!” Simply put: “I thought you were going to help me in a different way!” When it’s a matter of life and death, the color certainly shouldn’t matter!
Jesus’ disciples heard this. Many of them said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?`
John 6:60
Jesus showed us on a one-to-one basis who God is, and verified what he spoke by means of great signs and wonders. Throughout the centuries, many people have grabbed on to this Life Preserver and have experienced peace, reconciliation, and help despite difficult circumstances. Jesus can perform a miracle in our lives, but he meets each person in a way that brings about his purpose in their life. It’s worth listening to the transforming power of his words and encountering him personally.
When I’m in Nepal, the scents, the noise, the atmosphere, and the distinct culture fascinate me. In Kathmandu, you inevitably find your way to the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world. While it’s very unusual for us “Westerners,” it’s completely normal for the people of Nepal.
They circle around the temple, hoping that by doing so the approximately 1,000 gods will look favorably upon them. Many are rooted in this tradition and “pray” regularly. They want to be certain that they have paid enough homage to the gods. This fear-driven, oppressive ambiance spreads insecurity and doubt. The question remains: When is it really enough? Religion requires rituals and effort in order for one to be accepted. This is the case in every religion. Many Christians also believe that they have to earn their salvation in this way.
Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Philippians 3:18b
Jesus Christ alone brings deliverance and salvation. He is the Giver of eternal life. This living relationship produces good fruit. A relationship with God can never be earned. It is and remains an undeserved gift that Jesus paid for through His death on the cross. What is your response to this offer? How will you respond to this offer?
Wenn ich in Nepal bin, faszinieren mich die Gerüche, der Lärm, die Atmosphäre und die spezielle Kultur. In Kathmandu besuchte ich einer der bedeutendsten buddhistischen Tempel überhaupt. Für uns «Westler» sehr speziell, für Einheimische ganz normal. Sie laufen ihre Runden um den Tempel und erhoffen sich so, die rund 1000 Gottheiten gnädig zu stimmen. Viele sind verwurzelt in dieser Tradition und «beten» regelmässig. Sie möchten sicher sein, dass sie den Göttern genügend gehuldigt haben. Die von Angst gesteuerte, beklemmende Stimmung verbreitet Unsicherheit und Zweifel. Die Frage bleibt: Wann ist wirklich genug?
Religion verlangt Rituale und Leistung, um akzeptiert zu werden. Das ist in allen Religionen so. Auch viele Christen glauben, so ihre Rettung verdienen zu müssen. Jesus Christus allein bringt Befreiung und Rettung. Er schenkt ewiges Leben. Die Gottes-Beziehung kann nie verdient werden. Sie ist und bleibt ein unverdientes Geschenk, das Jesus durch seinen Tod am Kreuz vollbracht hat.
Die Botschaft, dass allein im Kreuzestod von Christus unsere Rettung liegt, hat viele Feinde.
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