“What are you standing there staring into space?” That was the question to the sky-gazing disciples, and it could have been taken as a gentle rebuke. It was followed by the exhortation: “Don’t just stand there. Get on with it.” Here is why Ascension is more topical than ever.
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We are celebrating a grave today, an empty one, because this emptiness entails a doctrine: the angry God is no longer among us, long live the loving God. And this love gives life. A somewhat different approach to Easter.
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All He would have had to do was say the right words and His agony would have vanished into thin air. But He remained eloquently silent and went His way. Join us as we look at the silent twists and turns on Jesus’ way to the cross.
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Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He chose His mount to enter Jerusalem. What’s more, He sent signals right up to our own time. Here is a reflection on the theme of Palm Sunday.
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There is a message that weaves its way through the Christmas story. And Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds are not the only ones to have heard it. Jesus Himself repeats this greeting again and again—and in so doing brings us new courage even today.
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An end that marked a beginning: by ascending to heaven Jesus Christ did not create distance between Himself and us, but actually came closer to us. Here are some thoughts on Ascension Day, which falls within Eastertide.
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Unbelieving? You must be kidding! It is precisely the doubter who comes closest to God. The key witness is the often misunderstood Thomas. Here is a somewhat different perspective on the account of Easter.
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The Friday before Easter is a silent day. Anyone who has ever had to cope with grief and loss knows how good silence can be. Jesus’ companions were also in mourning. They had had to look on as their Master was tortured, crucified, and killed. They were right there and witnessed these barbaric acts…
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Whether witnesses are believed or not is something everybody has to decide for themselves. What counts is the credibility of their testimony and whether they themselves believe their own account! The disciples, who witnessed Jesus ascend into heaven, stuck to their version of the story and refused to budge even a millimetre.
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It is a puzzling case indeed. A corpse is missing. But every last clue has long since crumbled to dust. There are the witness statements, of course. But even some of these are pretty confused. What does it all mean?
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Sometimes a few words suffice to explain a complicated matter. And sometimes even a single word is enough! One with a particularly powerful meaning. Can Good Friday be explained in one word? It is worth a try.
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It had all begun so well: the people had thrown palm branches in His path. They had even cheered and celebrated! They had hailed Him as their King. They had blown Him kisses and raised their arms to try and touch Him—they had had such good thoughts toward Him! But the celebration turned ugly soon enough.
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Thanksgiving Day commemorates the creatorship of God. This is what the New Apostolic Catechism says. Once a year, a Sunday is set aside for this in the church calendar. But gratitude is something that Christians can show God on all the other days of the year as well, the Chief Apostle says.
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The workspace of all Christians is the world. It is through believers that the triune God desires to speak and act. And that is precisely how the Son of God set everything up: His gospel needs a church in which it can be preached. Thoughts on the feast of Pentecost 2020.
More
“What are you standing there staring into space?” That was the question to the sky-gazing disciples, and it could have been taken as a gentle rebuke. It was followed by the exhortation: “Don’t just stand there. Get on with it.” Here is why Ascension is more topical than ever.
More
Good Friday is definitely not a bad day. Actually, only hopeful Christians can understand this turn of phrase. For Good Friday, after all, is the day of the Lord’s death, but with His death Christ also made new life possible. Perspectives of a special kind.
More
Just give thanks again! Right before the celebration of Christmas is a good time to do so. Why? Because Jesus Christ has come into this world and has become Man. He alone (!) is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
More
Jesus entered Jerusalem, and of all things on the back of a donkey. For many of those who witnessed this it was outrageous. After all, the people had been expecting the Messiah, who had been announced as a king. And now this!? By the end of the week, Jesus Christ will have been killed.
More
A stable, a manger, an ox, and a donkey—this is how we picture the night that changed everything. But wait a minute: two of three components in the nativity scene don’t even belong there. The question is therefore very important: do you recognise the sign?
More
All Jonah wanted was to get away from the Lord. He ran off without a destination in mind. Deep down he actually knew that running away from God was useless. But it was worth a try. Then came a forced break; for someone who needed to calm down.
More
There is work to be done
“What are you standing there staring into space?” That was the question to the sky-gazing disciples, and it could have been taken as a gentle rebuke. It was followed by the exhortation: “Don’t just stand there. Get on with it.” Here is why Ascension is more topical than ever. More
God’s love is indestructible
We are celebrating a grave today, an empty one, because this emptiness entails a doctrine: the angry God is no longer among us, long live the loving God. And this love gives life. A somewhat different approach to Easter. More
The power of words and the potency of silence
All He would have had to do was say the right words and His agony would have vanished into thin air. But He remained eloquently silent and went His way. Join us as we look at the silent twists and turns on Jesus’ way to the cross. More
The donkey, that’s me
Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He chose His mount to enter Jerusalem. What’s more, He sent signals right up to our own time. Here is a reflection on the theme of Palm Sunday. More
Four words that help!
There is a message that weaves its way through the Christmas story. And Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds are not the only ones to have heard it. Jesus Himself repeats this greeting again and again—and in so doing brings us new courage even today. More
Ascension: so far and yet so close
An end that marked a beginning: by ascending to heaven Jesus Christ did not create distance between Himself and us, but actually came closer to us. Here are some thoughts on Ascension Day, which falls within Eastertide. More
Nearer to God: we are Thomas
Unbelieving? You must be kidding! It is precisely the doubter who comes closest to God. The key witness is the often misunderstood Thomas. Here is a somewhat different perspective on the account of Easter. More
Good Friday: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani
The Friday before Easter is a silent day. Anyone who has ever had to cope with grief and loss knows how good silence can be. Jesus’ companions were also in mourning. They had had to look on as their Master was tortured, crucified, and killed. They were right there and witnessed these barbaric acts… More
Ascension 2021: Let’s not stand still, but carry on
Whether witnesses are believed or not is something everybody has to decide for themselves. What counts is the credibility of their testimony and whether they themselves believe their own account! The disciples, who witnessed Jesus ascend into heaven, stuck to their version of the story and refused to budge even a millimetre. More
Women—the key witnesses at the empty tomb
It is a puzzling case indeed. A corpse is missing. But every last clue has long since crumbled to dust. There are the witness statements, of course. But even some of these are pretty confused. What does it all mean? More
Good Friday: paid in full
Sometimes a few words suffice to explain a complicated matter. And sometimes even a single word is enough! One with a particularly powerful meaning. Can Good Friday be explained in one word? It is worth a try. More
A triumphant welcome ends in disaster
It had all begun so well: the people had thrown palm branches in His path. They had even cheered and celebrated! They had hailed Him as their King. They had blown Him kisses and raised their arms to try and touch Him—they had had such good thoughts toward Him! But the celebration turned ugly soon enough. More
Gratitude not only on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day commemorates the creatorship of God. This is what the New Apostolic Catechism says. Once a year, a Sunday is set aside for this in the church calendar. But gratitude is something that Christians can show God on all the other days of the year as well, the Chief Apostle says. More
Pentecost joy? It’s all up to us!
The workspace of all Christians is the world. It is through believers that the triune God desires to speak and act. And that is precisely how the Son of God set everything up: His gospel needs a church in which it can be preached. Thoughts on the feast of Pentecost 2020. More
There is work to be done
“What are you standing there staring into space?” That was the question to the sky-gazing disciples, and it could have been taken as a gentle rebuke. It was followed by the exhortation: “Don’t just stand there. Get on with it.” Here is why Ascension is more topical than ever. More
Why Good Friday is indeed a good Friday
Good Friday is definitely not a bad day. Actually, only hopeful Christians can understand this turn of phrase. For Good Friday, after all, is the day of the Lord’s death, but with His death Christ also made new life possible. Perspectives of a special kind. More
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Just give thanks again! Right before the celebration of Christmas is a good time to do so. Why? Because Jesus Christ has come into this world and has become Man. He alone (!) is the reason we celebrate Christmas. More
The beginning of something new
Jesus entered Jerusalem, and of all things on the back of a donkey. For many of those who witnessed this it was outrageous. After all, the people had been expecting the Messiah, who had been announced as a king. And now this!? By the end of the week, Jesus Christ will have been killed. More
Opening our hearts to welcome Jesus
A stable, a manger, an ox, and a donkey—this is how we picture the night that changed everything. But wait a minute: two of three components in the nativity scene don’t even belong there. The question is therefore very important: do you recognise the sign? More
Pausing amid the Christmas rush
All Jonah wanted was to get away from the Lord. He ran off without a destination in mind. Deep down he actually knew that running away from God was useless. But it was worth a try. Then came a forced break; for someone who needed to calm down. More