Lk3,21- Every one was baptised, also Jesus.
> If he is baptised, why do so many think, they are Christans but do not need to be baptised? They all sinned. How should they be forgiven? If not in the baptism of the forgiveness of sin! Jesus was baptised even there was no Sin to forgive!
Jesus prayed and in this moment heaven was opened. The holy spirit descended on him like a dove. A voice cam from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.
> God did not say - Hey Son, you don't need this baptism. God said: With you I am well pleased!
Jesus was about 30 when he began his ministry(verse23).
> What did i do when i became 30? I came from the mission team in Bratislava. The church had a big crisis! I married my wonderful wife. We went to Egypt for honeymoon. We bought  a TV. We moved into our apartment. I worked every day as a Grafic-designer. I could ones preach a Studie about the cross in the church. We celebrated our first christmas together. In the beginning of 2003 i came back from Bratislava. I moved in a brothers-apartment. I was looking for work. i started working in the beginning of Mai. I asked my future wife in Bratislava, if she would like to become my wife. We traveled back to Zurich as engaged couple the next day. She moved in a Sisters apartment. We planed our wedding. Many talks in parks and restaurants. Arriving and finding friendships in Zurich.
Many things - most of all about us. When Jesus was 30, he was so ready to start his ministry. To life day by day for God and the lost people. He poured himself out for us.
I think 2003 i did not invite a single person to church.
Maybe i talked and invited people from work to come - but i am not sure.
All this travels to Bratislava and back. i was into my self. Not reaching out to anyone.
Jesus was so different at the age of 30.
I need to keep on growing and changing.
And Luke writes(verse23): He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli. SO IT WAS THOUGHT. They all thought, Joseph had early sex with Maria. - But it is incredible to me, that Luke write it down as people saw Jesus and thought about him. Jesus was the Son of the Men who could not wait having sex with his future wife, wait till they would be married. People surely looked down on this family! Never a Angel came into the village to clear the situation up. To justify Joseph.
And now from verse24 it is written the genealogy of Jesus - of Josef in particular:
Joseph>Heli>Mattat>Levi>Melki>Jannai>Joseph>Mattathias>Amos>Nahum>Esli>Naggai>Maath>Mattathias>Semein>Josech>Joda>Joanan>Rhesa>Zerubbabel>Shealtiel>Neri>melki>Addi>Cosam>Elmadam>Er>Josua>Eliezer>Jorim>Matthat>Levi>Simeon>Judah>Joseph>Jonam>Eliakom>Melea>Menna>Mattatha>David>Jesse>Obed>Boaz>Salomon>Nahshon>Amminadab>Ram>Hezron>Perez>Judah>Joacob>Isaac>Abraham>Terah>Nahor>Serug>Reu>Peleg>Eber>Shelah>Gainan>Arphaxad>Shem>Noah>Lamech>Methuselah>Enoch>Jared>Mahalalel>Kenan>Enosh>Seth>Adam>der Sohn Gottes!
I did not know, that Adam is the Son of God!
It is like Paul writes - Rom5,17
For if, by the trespass of the one man,
death reigned through that one man,
how much
more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 
18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men,
so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.
19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Adam Sinned
Jesus was righteous
It is all good again.
How did Adam feel, when he experienced Jesus going down to earth?
Things go slow in my life. Not the action. But the change and growth. Jesus grew strongly and with 30 he was ready to start.
This is so encouraging! I can grow and change fast. But i need to be willing to endure pain:
Hebr:5,7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus: ALTHOUGH HE WAS A SON, HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE FROM WHAT HE SUFFERED.
Next time, when it starts hurting and i'm very tempted to avoid ore run away - i want endure it. To grow and learn obedience. It is anyway interesting to me, that Jesus learned obedient. Am i already as far in this? Ore am i still in this stage of learning obedient? I am still in this stage. It is clearly the way into the life of christ. But i can learn faster

Lk3,15- People are thinking - is John the Christ?
> John was so holy and righteous, that people felt: Like this, only Christ could be. No Miracles. Just straight words. Real practical help for life. On fire for God's dream. Radical personal life. No theory about God but pure life, lived and shared about.
John answers them ALL:
> He is not the Christ. He makes it clear.
I baptise you with water.
> How much does it need to baptise someone with water? Did anybody do it like he did it before. Did for anybody else, people come out to the desert to be baptised? How great was he, and in what a great manner he was living!
but
> No - he never saw Christ in action. Maybe never saw a miracle from Jesus. He just knew the promises. He just knew the word of God. And he believed it. So much, that he preache so intense but also, that he never lost the understanding, that even he was now so effective, there is coming one, way-more then he is, in any area of life you can think of - Gods only Son.
John was a very strong believer and hoped and dreamed and desired ...
one more powerful than i will come
> So we can only imagine how powerful Jesus was. John was so intense and so straight forward and so  incredible passionate  - What could possibly top that? Why do i always have a picture of Jesus like a soft hippie? At least for a long time in my life - the fact of the powerful Jesus was not building up my believer life. So sad, missed a lot of time to develop. Jesus must have ben incredible powerful. And this powerful appearance was a reality of his life on earth. I am following him to learn from him. This needs to become a reality in my life as well. No one would say John was not powerful. Now he was it very much and no one would say it was unspiritual. So i need to become a powerful, spiritual person. Jesus was it even more.
the things of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie
> Now this Jesus kneeled down and cleaned the feet's of all of his disciples. John felt unworthy to do something on the sandals of Jesus. Jesus even cleaned the feet of us. The all powerful person Jesus was serving - even serving like a slave.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
> He has so much more to offer then every body else ever offered and gave. Jesus did not hold back his power. In fact - he gave us all his power. It is fantastic. It is a power in which i am able to do even the work of a slave. In the same time, i am able to challenge people like John did. I can give. I can preach. I can love - like Jesus.
His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
> Jesus will be so effective. What he does will have not only a effect for this time, i am living here on earth. But he will have a effect on me for eternity. The power of what Jesus does goes on for ever.
And with many other word John exhorted the people
> John challenged to people. He challenged their life, thinking etc. He preached a lot! He was ongoing sharing wisdom. He had to be full of God's word in order to share it all so powerfully. It had to be all on and in his heart!
and preached the good news to them.
> It was challenging - but it is good news.
Challenging it is, because the world is so powerful and effective in a negative way on me. Good news it is - i think - because it is the way out of the prison of sin in to the freedom in Christ, the freedom of holiness, the freedom of being able to love, the freedom of being loved by God all the time, the freedom of being taken car of all the time, the freedom of being connected with God, living as holy Spirit inside of me...
It is not easy to leave the worldly life and start the life of a believer and follower - therefor the message is in many areas very challenging. It is a warning. It is a wake up call for many times.
If i want to be a helpful preacher, i have to challenge and wake up the audience. They are sleeping in the world, deceived by it, not aware of the danger, lulled by some cheap addicting feelings of sinful lifestyle.
A preaching has to be a weak up call! Powerful. Passionate. Clear to the point.
Thank you God, that i can learn that now!
But then also John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias,
> How powerful was he, that even Herod came and listened. When Herod came to listen, John saw him. He was not only friendly to him[thanks for coming in to my class - what a honor to have the king listening to me ...]. But he was also very clear and fast - not waiting. Just telling him the truth. Because, Herod lived like a drunk guy, on his way driving his car though a Kindergarden. John was the only trying to stop him from doing things, Herod will regret ones for ever!
How much love and compassion John had for this corrupt guy Herod.
His brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done,
> Herod was not easy to love - a man doing a lot of evil things. But imagine John would stop him and lead him to repentance. How blessed would the country be. How blessed would the eternity of Herod be. How much love in John - but also, i guess - HOW MUCH VISION FOR HEROD.
Herod added this to them all:
> But Herod did not stop doing bad things. Even he had probably the best human preacher in front of him, he did not let himself be moved. Certain people just don't want to stop and repent. How ever the message is.
He locked John up in prison.
> Usually they quickly find ways to shut down the good influence in their life.
John was so powerful. He had to be thrown into prison.
The only thing John did: He spoke and lived holy. My word can be so powerful. They can have the same effect like action. Maybe i can say: Johns word were as powerful as a crime.
What i see
Jesus was more powerful then John. John just had words and water. He bapized people. He preached to people. It was clear cut to the point. ...
I learned about the goal of a sermon. About the life behind a sermon. About the listeners. About who they are and what they need to hear. In order of the intensity of the sermons of John, i just can see how powerful the world really is and how much power in content and in the life of the preacher needs to be in order to be the audible needed voice of God! To be a audible voice in the great noise of the world, i need greater love.
I know, that God wants to help me and grow me and use me as much as possible.
It is in fact so new to me what i found today and yesterday. Thank you God!

Lk3,10- The crowd asks, what they should do then, so they will not be thrown into the fire. John says, the man with 2 tunics shares with the man who has none. > Very simple. Share, give to those who have nothing. This is what John tells me.
Tax collectors ask the same, John tells them, they should not collect more then they are required to. > Very simple. [Not, turn down the job and come and be a revolutionary agains Rom].
The soldiers ask the same questions. John tells them: Do not extort money. Do not accuse people falsely. Be content with your pay. > Do not use your power and strength to become rich. [Not, do quit the army?!]
The Pharisees have no question to change. They do not think, that they need to change.

It is a clear sign, that i become a Pharisees, when i start thinking about me: No more need to change. I am fine. It is so sad, that these guys would stand there and hear all the question of change and repentance of the crowd and Johns simple answers but they would just be there but not ask. How would they look in front of the people asking the same question? They were the religious Leaders. They should do what John is doing. Yet they are not close to God in the same way. They have nothing to tell the crowd. The people felt it. They asked John. John told them, otherwise they would go to hell!

The people grew in their respect of John so much, that they started wondering if he is the Christ. John says 'No, i am not!' And then he starts to talk about Christ.

I can see 4 groups of people coming to John: 1. Normal people like me / 2. People who have advantage in their position and job they have towards the authority / 3. People who have a lot of power / 4. People who do not think they need a change.

Some time i am a normal person. I should give and share, so that my neighbor hast as much as i have. 2.Cor:8,13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,

> Am i giving? Do i know, what my neighbor needs?

Some time i have advantage because of position ore relationship towards powerful people. I need to be truthful. I can not hide information because it would help me. I need to be fair! I need to do my service. I need to stay a servant.

> Am i abusing my position to have it easier, to look better in front of other. To put other actively down? Do i not say certain things because this would weaken my position? Do i use other people resources, because i make them thinking, that they have to give it to me, even it is not true but convenient to me? - The position is not the problem. I can use it for me ore i could use it as a servant for people who are not in such a lucky position. I can use it, that it will be equal in the end.

Some time i am in the position where i simply have more power then others.

>I need to serve the people. I need to use the power for the people and not for me.

Some time i think i do not have to change. This is very dangerous. This people were the driving force to kill Jesus later. If i think i have nothing to change, to who should i go and ask?

But what is challenging to me:

That i am in the position of a Pharisee. I do not think, that i have nothing to change. But maybe there were Pharisees, they asked John. - But the point is, that this Pharisees were the religious leaders. But they had no message. They red the Bible. They knew it by hard! But they did not baptize - even it was the plan from God, that this should happen.

I can read like crazy. I can be in a great position. I can be known as what ever - spiritual.

But do i, like John, bring the message of God to the heart of the people around me?

John brings repentance - Methanoia - renewing of the spirit and mind and heart of the people.

John brings forgiveness of Sin in the baptism.[It was always clear, that baptism is for the forgiveness, not just a sign ore a tradition ore a option]

John brings justice to repressed people.

John brings hope - the Christ is here - Christ became visible in John - SO much, that they thaught, they would see Christ?

John is talking to slaves, people, soldiers, Kings, Jews, Non-Jews. He reaches every one!

John was not burdening people with impossible things to do. He just challenged hard, if people wold be superficial, not realizing there need for deep metanoia and change from God.

Do i have a message from God? [Hope, Metanoia, Forgiveness, ...] Of corse i know, this is the message from the bible. But is that my heart and soul and do i see in people what they need to do in order to find the hope, to experience metanoia and get forgiveness? To be free in Christ!

Am i burning with it? Am i living free in Christ - so that they can see Christ in me!

Am i close to God, that his fire is jumping over in to my heart?

John came from God. The Pharisees came from the synagog.

From were am i coming today?

I need to pray!

I can pray :-)

the fire will come from God on me

LK 3,7- John preached - to all, to the crowd, not just the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law
- Hello, you Brood of vipers!
Even they just came to be baptised for the forgiveness of their Sin.
- Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Who was the person sending you to me, that i would wash away your Sin? Why are you worth for the greatest gift, the cleansing of your Sin? Why do you think you can get so easy?
- Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Wow - that is great - Fruit will be produced in keeping with repentance! This is awesome! Fruit will just come!
- And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.'
It is not how i am but how i am in my relationship with God.
- For I tell you that out of there stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
God can bring together a big church. No Problem for him. There are many Stones out there. nick is throwing them into Lietzensee every day and still there are some more!
- The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
That is how John is motivaiting - Fear. If you do not do well there is Hell waiting for you. Better repent quickly. Now. If someone is drunk and starts his car. We go to him and tell him, do not drive!!!!!!Otherwise you will kill yourself ore other ore both. We would never say - OH FEAR-MOTIVATION - DO NOT TALK TO HIM LIKE THIS! WE WOULD DRAG HIM OUT OF THE CAR - and have some very serious talk with him.
The question for me is more - how serious do i see sin? Do i see it as being drunk driving a car in a kindergarden ore what is sin for me?
I take sin to easy.
I can not believe, that we would go to a drunk driver and tell him, do not drive drunk, because you can not enjoy your ride! It is true, he can not enjoy it - BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT.
But i hear many sermons and talks going in the same direction.
Do not sin, because sin is not really living. I myself said this many times.
But sin is destroying - and i end up in Hell.
I need to repent in this! Thank you John for being real and clear about what is going on!

Lk3,1-6 in the 15 year of the reign of Tiberius Ceasar-
when Pontius Pilatus was governor of Judea,
Herod tetrarch of Abilene-
During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
The Word of God came to John son of Zachariah in the desert.
> I red in Wikipedia about Tiberias, just a little bit, Jesus is a little Information there. It is the only time, that Ceasar's Name comes up in the hole New Testament. Very moving: God's Son was here, the historian's do not really think of him. In his time Rom was not really touched by him, Tiberius did not persecute the Christians, he just let them do what they wanted.
Pilate is here already. Annas & Caiaphas too. Funny that they have 2high priest. Looks like it was a political struggle going on: Who has the power and authority among the Priest's? - There was normally one high priest, not two.
3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
OK - he went on a mission. He went into ALL THE COUNTRY around the Jordan.
He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

A voice of one calling in the desert,

'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.'

This is the prophecy.

The voice in the desert calls:

Prepare the way for the Lord ::: I can be prepared. Maybe: take out of the way every thing what would hinder God to come through. What is around in my life, what hinders God to go through? - ...

Make straight paths for him ::: I can make the path straight. Maybe: I can be in many areas of my life more direct in my focus on God - ...

Every valley shall be filled in ::: There are valleys in my life. They shall be filled. Maybe is ongoing, unconfessed Sin. - But it is written this will happen. Not i can do it.?->

Every mountain and hill made low ::: There are mountains and hills in my life. Maybe it is a prideful attitude. Independence from God. Thinking i have the overview. I need to come down and see God and follow him. - Also it is written, that this will happen.?->

The crooked roads shall become straight ::: This will happen.-> 

The rough ways smooth ::: It will become smooth.

All mankind will see God's salvation ::: This will happen too

I can prepare the way of the Lord. I can make it straight. But valleys and hills God is changing into a smooth way. The crooked roads - God will make them straight.

This is how i can see this scripture.
_______________________________________________________________

I can life a life, where God has a easy way to come in. I can organize my day. I can arrange my things, i do during the day in a way, that God has it easy to come in. That nothing is in between ore hindering God to come in, go through.

I also can make the ways straight. Make it simple, direct, not complicated - Reflect, what is my sin. What is my pattern. Repent. Turn to God. Turn away from it towards God.

Maybe this two things are also about focus.

Maybe this two things are also about being singleminded! Not double minded ore triple minded ore ...!

What is in my life, what makes me double- ore more minded?

What can i take away, that the way of God in my life is well prepared?

It will be awesome, when i see how God is making things smooth in my life!!!No more dark valleys. No more mountains and hills, where no one wants to climb up except me, who is up there already, very lonely. No more crooked roads. God made them all smooth.

What a life when God can come in straight on fast speed to help!

Yesterday we had the Devotional. It was encouraging. We had some serious talk about the ending of our life  and about decisions we need to make in order to be ready to meet God. I personally shared about how i am moved by Jesus being for at least 4days it was maybe 5days just in the temple and so driven to share and interact over the word of his Father with the teachers of the law, that they were entertained and amazed by him durning this hole time! Jesus so much loved his father - nothing else gave him more then being in his house on earth - the closest place to his Father(?).

I also want to learn to be so singleminded.

Lk2,50-52 Jesus told them, that he had to be in his Father's house. But Maria and Joseph did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then Jesus went home with them. Down to Nazareth and was obedient to them.

His mother treasured all this things in her heart.

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom

and stature,

and in favour with God

and men.

I do not know what does it mean, when the parents of Jesus do not understand him, when he says 'i need to be in my Father's house'. How could they not understand this? What does it mean to me? When do i not understand basic, simple, very clear truth? What are the difficult but basic truth in the bible for me? It just shows me, that i can loos understanding of most obvious things. If i loos it - i am seeking a lot but i could be right there. Maria and Josef probably could go straight to the temple, if they somehow would know, who the father of Jesus is.

But then Jesus goes with them to Nazareth. How did he felt about that? Being in amazing discussion about the holy scripture. Then just being back in Nazareth, learning from Joseph the work of carpenter.

How do i feel, when i need to do things, they are less inspiring to me? When i need to do things, they are just hard work?

About Maria is written, that she treasured all these things in her heart. She really missed a lot but somehow she still was asking and questioning what was going on. It is kind of very sad, that form Joseph, nothing is written.

And Jesus grew in wisdom - The Son of God had to grow in wisdom. He had once no wisdom, then he grew and had more, and still he had to grow.

Jesus grew in stature - Like every man. 

Jesus grew in favour with God  - i looked so much forward to write about this. But now, what can i say, than this looks like a mystery to me - It is amazing to me, to think the conditions in which Jesus, the Son of God was living - are exactly the same i am living in.
How in the world, can the Son of God, through him the world is created, grow in favour by God. Did God not just love him because he was his own Son. I don't know! Favour and being loved, is that not the same? I am loved by God - but am i also in favour by God? How can i grow in that?

I just see, that even on the level of being in favour by God, Jesus was completely man: Like me. He had to grow in every aspect of his life.

Jesus grew in favour by men - this is interesting, because it shows the effect of a godly life on people. People feel loved. So they start to love this person back. Jesus was no doubt the most consistent person in loving all neighbors. How amazing it was, to be already with him in this early days.

> What i see for today. Certainly Jesus heart was to stay in the temple and debate Gods Word with the teachers. But he went home. He was with people they had no glue who he was. He loved them. He lived with them, learned from Joseph and gave his heart to every body every time. And people started to appreciate this growing boy more and more, because they felt so much appreciation from Jesus. I believe, he was known in the hole area.

So for me, what ever i do today: I will do it for my father in heaven and give my hole heart.

Lk2,41- We can see a family tradition. Every year they got o Jerusalem. Like good Jews do. Jesus is 12 now and can come with them. When the Feast was over they went home but Jesus stayed in the Temple. They walk one hole day, thinking Jesus came with them  - then they start looking for him. They can not find him. They return back to Jerusalem - 1day walk. In Jerusalem they search for Jesus 3 days. V44Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. Jesus was all over the place. It was normal, obviously, that he was with relatives ore friends for long time: i just think: There were not so many people. Jesus lived on the countryside. Could it be, that everybody knew the boy. Even for the parents it was normal, to not see him for one day. Not even start the trip back to go home with him. They just went assuming, that Jesus will follow anyway. They stopped after one day and then turned back. - I just think, it could show how much connected with every body this little boy Jesus already was. He never had a day - really - where he did not give his hole heart to God and his people. I do not know - i just think it is a long time for not feeling the need to know, where is my boy, if i am not used to the fact, that my boy is always all over the place and engaged with everyone...
They searched for 3 days. It is really crazy now. How would i feel just one day not knowing where is my Son? But then even the hole next day too. A crazy second night. And then during the 3 day they found him - in the Temple - sitting with the teachers! Where did he sleep? How could he keep the interest of this teachers so alive, for almost 4 days, so they never thought about sending him home to his mother and father. How did Jesus talk to them? What was on his heart? This teachers knew the old testament by heart. But this little boy could impress them - inspire them with: 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  This 12 year old was already amazing! Everyone was amazed!
He spoke well very well - he spoke amazingly.
He had great answers!
Think about that - His answers. Not his questions! His answers amazed people, they could quote the hole old testament by heart! What was going on in the temple? And this little boys answers amazed them.
Then the parent come. They are astonished. They have no understanding for what is going on here.  his mother says: V48 Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.
Why did you treated us like this - We can feel the frustration and anger and astonishment
Your father and I(What is Josef doing right here?) have beed anxiously searching for you - They have not a clue of why he did what he did!
Now Jesus answers: 49 Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?
He does not understand at all, why they searched for him.
He just wanted to be in his fathers house! > This is very moving to me. It was just a temple. a building build with stones - not even finished yet, they still worked on it. Jesus felt so strong about it, Jesus had such a need to stay there because he searched for a close connection to his father - all the time he was searching to come closer! Maybe walking with God is searching for him with the goal to be closer to him then last time. Growing closer and closer to God. And also: He was in the temple not quiet. He debated scriptures with the teachers. Talking about Gods word is something. I do that now with a great friend. We read and talk every day for at least one hour about a bible passage. It is awesome. Anyway - Jesus was surprised about the reaction of his parents. 'Why are you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my father's house?' So he says: You should know i am here. And as long you do not tell me that we go back. I will stay here. Because it is the house of my father.[we also see, when he grew up and he came again in the temple and cleaned it out - it was not a power game - it was his hole heart - it was his fathers house. It belonged to him - completely. He looked probably forward to be there! But it was a mess]
And then 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
But i will do this tomorrow.
OK
It is a lot what i see:
Jesus speaks well - Be strong
Jesus give great answers - Learn and become wise
Jesus needed to be in his fathers house - The all powerful need to be close with God. To be close to his Father was for Jesus better then anything else!

Lk 1,65 Und Furcht kam über alle, die um sie her wohnten; und auf dem ganzen Gebirge von Judäa wurden alle diese Dinge besprochen.

>>> FURCHT VOR GOTT KAM SCHNELL AUF – bei mir kommt schnell Furcht vor Menschen auf.

Lk 1, 68 Gepriesen sei der Herr, der Gott Israels,

dass er sein Volk angesehen und ihm Erlösung geschaffen hat.

69 Er hat uns ein Horn des Heils12 aufgerichtet im Hause Davids, seines Knechtes, 70 wie er geredet hat durch den Mund seiner heiligen Propheten von Ewigkeit13 her:

71 Rettung von unseren Feinden und von der Hand aller, die uns hassen;

72 um Barmherzigkeit zu üben an unseren Vätern und seines heiligen Bundes zu gedenken, 73 des Eides, den er Abraham, unserem Vater, geschworen hat;

und uns zu geben, 74 dass wir, gerettet aus der Hand unserer Feinde,

ohne Furcht ihm dienen sollen 75 in Heiligkeit und Gerechtigkeit vor ihm alle unsere Tage.

Johannes:76 Und du, Kind,

wirst ein Prophet des Höchsten genannt werden;

denn du wirst vor dem Angesicht des Herrn hergehen,

> Feldzeichen Gottes

> An Orte hingehen – wo Gott noch nicht ist

seine Wege zu bereiten,

> Passstrassen ueber den Gotthard – mussten gelegt werden

77 um seinem Volk Erkenntnis des Heils14 zu geben in Vergebung ihrer Sünden,

78 durch die herzliche Barmherzigkeit unseres Gottes,

mit der uns der Aufgang aus der Höhe besuchen wird, - ?!

[78 denn unser Gott ist voller Erbarmen. Darum wird auch der helle Morgenglanz35 aus der Höhe zu uns kommen36,]

79 um denen zu leuchten,

die in Finsternis und Todesschatten sitzen,

            > Die Gottes Angesicht nicht ‚haben’

und unsere Füße zu richten auf den Weg des Friedens. –

            > Den richtigen Weg fuer sie bereiten

80 Das Kind aber wuchs

und erstarkte im Geist

und war in der Einöde bis zum Tag seines Auftretens vor Israel. 

Alleine

– ohne Einfluss der Gesellschaft

Zuerst wird von Zacharias Gott gelobt

Danach ein paar Worte ueber Johannes

Lk2,36-40 There is a other Person coming up to Joseph and Maria. Anna - 84Years old. Luke gives a lot of informations about the family of Anna. Luke likes details like this. Her husband died after 7years of marriage. So Anna was a widow and never left the temple. She worshiped day and night with praying and fasting. 38 Coming up to them she gave thanks to God, spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. > Would be interesting to see, how they looked at her. Most people had no idea about what is going on now. But she talked to the people who waited for redemption of Jerusalem. Immediately Mission starts. People become enthusiastic and share what they experienced.
Anna starts sharing - i do not believe, she felt a burden to do it. She was on fire.
She waited and prayed and fasted all day, week, month, year long. She was so in touche with God. When God is finally here - she can not hold it back at all! This day - every one in the temple knew - the spiritual, believing widow Anna believed, that Christ is born!
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord  - I like this, they did everything. We also, when we moved to Berlin. We had to do every thing the Berlin Law required. It was no question about it - should we do it ore not. We better do it - be benefit a lot form it!

In the Christian life it is different. We think, we do not need to do every thing what is required by the Law of God and requirements and conditions of his kingdom. We just have a Grace Version in our head - but this Grace-Version is cheap.

Then they went home. Home is Nazareth. The new home of the Son of God is Nazareth. His new address. Heaven before. Nazareth now. Jesus was willing to go every where. Jesus was willing to become even a helpless Baby.(Amazing trust in God, his father - that he will be protected...) What am i willing to be and become? Am i willing to go every where? Am i willing to become what ever for the help of others?

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

And yes - i would like to hear more about this GROWING

and becoming strong.

I would like to hear more about

FILLED with wisdom.

About how exactly was the Grace of God upon him.

The child grew - i guess, kids just grow.

BUT he became strong. - He was not strong from the beginning. He became strong. No one automatically becomes strong. I can become strong. Training makes me strong. Training is sometimes hard. Where do i avoid training? If i wold say no to opportunity's. But i try hard to not say no - because i would miss a opportunity. Ore when i avoid situations. So i need to have a clear mind to see what are the situations. WAHT ARE THE TRAINING-SITUATIONS TODAY?Ore when i start my day without God, i start my day without my trainer. But i do not do that anymore - THANKS TO GOD! Ore when i have a thought ore a feeling - i need to find clear terms: what do i think, what do i feel and why. What does it mean for me. What does it mean in my relationships. So, what do i need to do? Then  - Christoph, go and do it and enjoy Gods training!

Filled with wisdom - I really want to start reading the proverbs. I do not know them very well. Also in my thought process, i want to realize, what can i do and what can i not do. So i know for what i need to go and ask. Do i know who are the people i can go ask for? I think yes - i know them.

Gods grace is upon me - God is in me. There is no reason for me to think - No God is not with me. Because he is in me. And i want to do his will with all my heart.

LK1:V41-42 Elisabeth wurde vom heiligen Geist erfuellt und rief mit lauter Stimme und sprach: ….

LK1:V44 Denn siehe, als die Stimme deines Grusses in meine Ohren Ging, huepfte das Kind vor Freude in meinem Leib.

LK1:V47 Mein Geist hat gejubelt ueber Gott, meinen Retter.

LK1:V50 Und seine Barmherzigkeit ist von Geschlecht zu Geschlecht über die, welche ihn fürchten.

Expression ist extrem = FREUDE NICHT ZU BAENDIGEN

und doch ist Gottesfurcht alles entscheidend.

>>Gottesfurcht als Grundlage fur extreme Freude - in Gott >> extreme Sicherheit / nie  Enttaeuscht / nie alleine / IMMER GELIEBT

Luk2,21- He is circomcied - his Name is Jesus. Jesus is real and official. Then he is taken by his parents to Jerusalem.

23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

Simon was waiting to see the Christ. The holy spirit is leading him in the temple when the Baby Jesus is presented to the Lord. And Simon says:

29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

The reaction of Joseph and Maria:

33 The child's father and mother marvelled at what was said about him.

Then Simon is blessing the parents too. And he says to Maria:

34(...)This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.

This is what this Man tells about Jesus:

1. He was waiting for Jesus -

2. He felt so blessed he could see Jesus,

> Of corse i can think of many reasons why he was waiting so much for Jesus - BUT, do i have reasons for waiting for Jesus? So many! And, do I wait for him like Simeon?

3. He talk about Jesus: the salvation from God.

> The salvation is a Men  - the Son of God! He is not just bringing salvation - he is the salvation. Everything about him is salvation! - In German is the word 'Rettung' - Jesus was the salvation. I am not sure if this question is right to ask. What am I? My Lord is Jesus - My Lord is Salvation. Salvation is 'to save'. Not just to look at it ore what ever. When Salvation is my Lord - I am save and I am saving![meant to]

4. God prepared, seen by all nation.

> There is no nation in which Jesus is unknown.

5. Jesus is a light of revelation

> I often pray: God inspire me. The inspiration is always in Jesus / i admire Jews for many things but most of all in Jesus

/ Joseph and Maria they marvelled about this words

> as if they forgot the Angels they saw, the sheperds words about what they saw out on the fields. Unbelief ore being no longer aware about what is true and going on here comes in so quickly. So quickly i forget that the holy Spirit is living in me. The creating power is in me. That my brother is Jesus. That my father is God. That i am in his kingdom. That i am on my way to heaven - my home. That ALL my sin is forgiven! I need fellowship with people they have the holy spirit too. They remind me, what is true. Like Simeon is reminding Joseph and Maria.

Then Simeon says:

6. Jesus will cause the falling and rising of many in Israel

> He will have a impact. This little baby will stir up people. He will change lives. People will go down because of him. People will come up because of him. The life of this little Baby will be very effective! I am following someone changing things, someone who really moved other lives very much and deeply. Jesus moved my life deeply. My life would look completely different without him. He is living in me now - are people around me, effected by Jesus in me?

7. He will be a sign, that will be spoken against.

> People will say NO to what this little Baby has to say. They will say NO so much, that their NO is killing this man. I do not like when people say NO to me. When they speak against me. I am very strong tempted to shut down quickly. Jesus was promised to have to life, where people will speak against him. Simeon is not saying, people will agree with Jesus, people will be for Jesus, people will love Jesus.

Simeon is saying Jesus will have a deep, strong impact on people and they will speak against him.

I am following this Jesus - how is it for me?

8. So, that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

> Many hearts will be obvious. We do not love God. We killed him.

Even we just did that and God knew it before - still he came.

I do not like to go to visit people, i know, they hate me. I just do not even visit.

But God came - visited us - made him selfe completely vulnerable - showed who he is(without burning light of holiness around him) - Showed how much he loved us - how much he just helped - taught us how to live practically - we did not welcome him but he still came and saved us!

9. The sword into the soul of Maria

> He is not talking to Joseph - for what ever reason - but Joseph disappears soon after. The impact of Jesus became painful even for his mother. What kind of life is this life of Jesus?

Only the promises of Simeon over the life of Jesus are more then amazing, shocking, inspiring, provoking. And the little we know about Jesus - we just say, yes it became all true.

I follow Jesus. I do what he would do. I say what he would say. I act like he is acting. ... My life is changing radically. I am not just following Jesus. I have his spirit in me. I am looking forward!

Was hat Zacharias nicht geglaubt? - War es eine ZU gute Nachricht, die er nicht glauben konnte?

Fürchte dich nicht

1.denn dein Gebet ist erhört

2.deine Frau Elisabeth wird dir einen Sohn gebären

3.Und du wirst Freude und Wonne haben

4.und viele werden sich über seine Geburt freuen.

5.Denn er wird groß sein vor dem Herrn

6.wird schon von Mutterleib an erfüllt werden mit dem Heiligen Geist. 

7.Und er wird vom Volk Israel viele zu dem Herrn, ihrem Gott, bekehren.

8.Und er wird vor ihm hergehen im Geist und in der Kraft Elias

9.zu bekehren die Herzen der Väter zu den Kindern

10.die Ungehorsamen zu der Klugheit der Gerechten

11.zuzurichten dem Herrn ein Volk, das wohl vorbereitet ist

18 Und Zacharias sprach zu dem Engel:

Woran soll ich das erkennen?

Denn ich bin alt und meine Frau ist betagt.

Wie oft glaube ich nicht:
Dass Gott das Gute fur mich tun wird

Dass er mir helfen wird

Dass er es gelingen laesst

! - !

Und der Engel reagiert:

19 Der Engel antwortete und sprach zu ihm: Ich bin Gabriel, der vor Gott steht, und bin gesandt, mit dir zu reden und dir dies zu verkündigen.

><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Gott meint es ernst mit seinen Versprechen.

Lerne seine Versprechen kennen.

Vertraue Ihm und freue Dich auf die Erfuellung.

Yesterday i met a man with a t-shirt, it was written: 'I have no problem with God but with the people of his fan-Club.' I had to talk to him - hope he takes my offer seriously.
Lk2,1-20 The Cesar is counting. Exactly in the time when Maria is pregnant. Joseph need to go to Bethlehem. And when they are there and nobody had room for them, also Maria was ready now to give birth - maybe that was the reason why nobody gave room, nobody wants to have problems with a birth in their own house. Life is enough complicated without a birth in the only one room people in this days had - and then Jesus is born. It is not when every thing is nice and calm. It is when every thing is on the edge. He is not just born in a stable and laid down in a box from which animals are eating. He is not at home. His mother lies in hey on the ground and freezes - probably. Joseph is exhausted as well - i know how i felt after Nina ore Nikolai were born. But out there - no one helped - they experienced the miracle. God's only Son is born and lives now on earth. Day one of the life of Jesus. A most uncomfortable day. Exposed to a Cesar's will, to selfish people, unprotected by men sleeping in a feed manger.
Why is God organizing such a stressful time for the birth of Jesus, his only Son? Why can he not just be born in their own home, peaceful and well protected? I often want to have a peaceful time. Am i good in a turmoil - no - but God is still in control and good to me.
There was no Angel in the Stable. There was no visible power from God, when Jesus was born. Just this little Baby in the arms of Maria and Joseph.
The Angle were outside of the village in the fields. Talking and sinning to the shepherds. No holy shine around the feed manger but in the sky over some sleeping sheep's.


If things look difficult to me. Overwhelming -
God still is in control
Great moments are prepared and ready for me - if i just surrender and trust God
So it will be obvious God moved not little scared Christoph

Wir trafen uns als Studentenkreis und haben ueber folgende Fragen gesprochen(Francis Chan). Ein paar Saetze, die ich da gehoert habe, haben mich bewegt - die Fragen waren die folgenden:
a)WENN WIR DAS WORT 'GOTT' SEHEN, WAS DENKEN WIR?
b)IST DA NOCH DIESES GEFUEHL VON ERSTAUNEN - SCHOCK - MENSCH, DIESER ERSTAUNLICHE GOTT!
'Ich habe gerungen mich Gott nahe zu fuehlen' / 'Dass man einen Freund hat, der sich foltern liess fuer mich' / 'Sehnsucht nach dem ausserordentlich wirkenden Gott + spuerbar Teil seines Wirkens zu sein' / 'Haette ich nichts gesagt, waere nichts geschehen' / 'Mache keine oder viel kleinere Schritte und seltener und der WoW-Effekt bleibt aus' / 'Wenn die Leute draussen waren - am predigen - sind die umwerfenden Dinge geschehen'.
c)WAS FUER EIN EFFEKT HAT DAS WORT 'GOTT' AUF DEIN TAEGLICHES LEBEN - WENN ES KEIN EFFEKT HAT, DANN IST ES EINFACH EIN ADERES WORT!
'Der heilige Geist wirkt heiliges und geistiges [Goettlich/Uebernatuerlich] - nicht normales - Dinge bei denen jeder denken muss, das war nicht Christoph, das war Gott selbst'.

Yesterday some great moments on the streets. I have a special flyer. It is awesome. God will use it.
Luk1,46-80 Maria is singing a song to God. It is like a Psalm. Maria is very thankful for every thing what happened: That she is pregnant. That Joseph is maybe about to leave Maria ...
It seems that Maria has a lot of peace. No word of being afraid.
Just thankfulness.
Maria stays by Elizabeth for 3Month. Then she is going home. How was the welcome at home? It was visible now, that she is pregnant.
Then John is born. People think he will have the name of his father. But Elisabeth says 'No' and then also Zacharias is writing the Name John on a tablet. And immediately after that, Zacharias can speak again.
And people realize, that with this boy things are different. They are filled with awe.
Then Zacharias is singing his Psalm to the Lord - similar like Maria.
And in the end the first years of John [the Baptist] are described - just 1vers: 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
He was alone
There was no one else
Being alone can have something very strengthening
Moses was alone - almost, but many times for 40years just with sheep the hole day, the hole week, the hole years
Elia was alone - crows brought him to eat / other time he was running away - in the desert - there he saw God
The prophets had many revelations in moments of being alone
In the scripture i can not see, how old John was, when he went alone in the desert. I try to imagine how he explained to his father, that he needs to go in the desert. I can not see how old he was, when he started to preach. But he did it in the desert. People came out to him. But the time alone in the desert was probably more then a day.
Do i have time enough to listen to God - alone, to get the inspiration i need from God? Could i see God recently? What did i see? What was his message for my heart?
John was alone in the desert.
John was not alone in the desert for the rest of his life.
To prepare the way for the Lord. The Lord took a man and placed him away in the desert. This man living alone is getting ready to be the voice preparing the way of the Lord. He maybe forgot how people really are and think. He maybe just focused on God. He learned not how people are and what they do but how God is and what he is doing. Maybe this was all he really experienced during this desert time - God and himself and himself and God and God and himself and himself and God
And then some people passed by him. He had a little conversation with them. But for this people it was as if they wold hear pure God. Because nothing in John was damaged by society. John was a concentrate of God. He had no other experience then God and himself.
I am not sure.
But what if a human being is not influenced by the world but only by the holly spirit?
Even in the first century people had to go away to not be distracted by the world.
I need to be alone - To realize what do i think and feel and what is God thinking and feeling.
God is all i need.

Yesterday was a great day - even i had a struggling time in the middle. I had a lot of conversation in the streets. Showed Bible scriptures to strangers and other things i saw and learned.
Lk1,39-45 Maria is going to Elisabeth. Soon after the angle talked to Maria. Maybe that was also a security issue. But anyway - when she arrives the Baby in Elisabeth is jumping.
Elisabeth says interesting things - she is filled withe the holly spirit:
43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

She is already very clear about who this child is!

The Baby in Elisabeth is reacting joyfully ...

Elisabeth is pointing out faith in Maria(Maria could still speak - but Zacharias, after he met the Angel, could not speak)

It is interesting:

This old wise lady, filled with the holy spirit, knows who this child is. The baby in Elisabeth knows too. The faith of Maria is praised.

As if Luke wants to make clear - this IS the Son of God, who will be born soon.

It is all facts, no doubt. But it is not facts about a normal human being. But facts about the Son of God.

An Angel came twice. Ones someone did not believe, the other time someone believed.

Who am I: Do i believe ore do i let go inside me and not believe.

The Angel says:

45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

Maria believed: It will happen like the Angel told.

Maria believed the Angel, with the message from God.

Do i believe God today?

Is my life different today - because i believe God? / Maria's life radically changed because of the belive she had. It became dangerous, it became strange to all the people around who did not have the holy spirit.

Do people, who do not have the holy spirit, understand my life - ore do i life a live following God, which does not make a lot of sense to the people around, because i life on faith and not on what people can see?

Need to think about this some more :-) find practicals

weitere Gedanken

LK 1, 1-4

Viele - Wir haben 4 Berichte - ist 4 viel? Im Vergleich zu was?

Viele sagt Lukas - VIELE also waren fuer diejenigen Vergleichsmoeglich

Heb 4:12-13

2 Peter 1:20-21

Joh 20:30-31; Apg 8:26-40; Apg 1:8; Apg 2:32; 2Pet 2:16-18; 1Joh 1:1-4; Joh 14: 15-17; Joh14:25-26; Joh15:26-27; Joh16:12-15; Kol 4:16; 2Pet 3:15-16; 1Tim 5:18; Luk 10:7   

Überliefert haben

von Anfang an selbst gesehen

Sie sind Diener des Wortes

habe alles von Anfang an sorgfältig erkundet

in guter Ordnung aufgeschrieben - fuer den wichtigen Theophilus

DAMIT der sichere Grund der Lehre erfährst

in der DU unterrichtest bist.

Nichts mit Glauben

Es geht NUR darum dass wir wissen - DAS WISSEN WIR!

Wir wissen ueber Jesus was Lukas im folgenden aufschreibt,

Wann ist er geboren

Wann hat er dort gelebt

Das hat er gesagt

So ist er gestorben

So ist er auferstanden

WAS HEISST DAS FUER MICH HEUTE?

Ich will das UNI-STUDENTEN zeigen

Ein Flyer machen - verteilen

JEMAND FINDEN DEM ICH DAS ZEIGEN KANN

Die Realität von Gottes Besuch mehr in meinem Leben reinerleben - WIE?

'09.11.' ist real fuer die Welt hat die Wirtschaft auf den Kopf gestellt.

Stellt das Leben Jesu mein Leben entsprechend auf den Kopf? 

Yesterday was interesting - screaming people in the streets are not dangerous.

Lk1,21-38

Zacharias is coming out of the Temple.

Everybody knew, that he had a revelation.

Then he is going home and his wife becomes pregnant. She is hiding it for 5month.

In the 6month the Angel is going to Nazareth to visit Maria - the fiancee of Josef.

The conversation is amazing:

1. You will be with child and give birth to a son

2. You are to give him the name Jesus.

3. He will be great

4. Will be called the Son of the Most High

5. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David

6. and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever

7. his kingdom will never end.

Marias reaction to what the Angel said:

34 How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?

I do not know if it is the same reaction like Zacharias - he said after he heard the Angel:

How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.

How will this be <> How can i be sure

What is the difference?

God saw a different heart - 

Because he reacts to Maria differently, then he reacts to Zacharias. He sais:

1. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

2. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

3. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

4. For nothing is impossible with God.

That is the answer of the Angel

I like this: FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

And now Maria answers a second time:

I am the Lord's servant - May it be to me as you have said.

Then the Angel left

~

The room was dark again - ore the sun was still shining - ore it was still night and Maria could no longer sleep and went out in front of the house.

Maria will be pregnant before she married

In this days a real challenge

Why she is not stoned? Nobody knows. Did everyone believe Marias story about the holly spirit?

To become pregnant as a miracle - how convincing

The Bible does not even talk about the struggles this young Lady had to go through

It is silent

We only see the heart of Maria

I am the Lord's servant

A logical thought of Maria could be like this:

I will give birth to a son although I've never slept with a man

So the law is teaching, that they need to stone me, because i can not prove, that i never had sex.

But

God promised me, that i will give birth to a son.

So therefor I will survive

-

Logical thoughts do not help me always to overcome strong fear

-

Also, when she gave birth - nobody promised Maria to survive this time after

If she would - Maria will be for the rest of the life she had, the women pregnant before she was married

-

i know, everybody knows this thoughts

-

For God nothing is impossible

The Holy Spirit is in me

Is this good enough for me today to life according Gods will?

Good enough for me to be the servant of God today?

Yesterday we had church. Great time. Singing, NGE-Info, Sermon, Infos - all seemed very inspiring. The Berlin Church is amazing! I tried to teach my QT-point form Luk1. The point is amazing - Not faith was required but just facts given. Faith is something deeper. It is the connection of my heart, soul and spirit to God - from whom i know he is here. Therefor it makes sense to me, that Paul talks about missing thankfulness to God in the beginning as reason for the loss of faith. In the beginning they knew why they were here. God made them. But they stopped being thankful for God - the heart connection was lost.
My wife went to church later. She saw a guy who was selling Homlessnewspaper. Somehow Dasha felt the need to talk to him. She invited him to church. He sad - i can not come, i have to sell the newspaper. Dasha sad - so come next week. But then the guy did come to church. He was so happy. He told everyone: 'I have been invited!' Next week he is coming again! Dasha is following the spirit of God. I want to learn from it.
Luk1,5-20
It is about Zacharias and his Wife. They both did what was right before God. They had no kids. They both were very old. > This is the presentation of the Bible for this two old faithful people.
Then Zacharias was chosen to go in the temple.
And the People prayed outside when Zacharias went in the temple.
Then
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias.
Zacharias see the Angle and is amazed and terrified.
The Angel sais:
DO NOT BE AFRAID
Your prayer has been answered
1. Your wife Elisabeth will have a child
2. She will have a Son
You shall give him the name JOHN
3. You will have joyful about him - he will be a delight to you
4. He will make a lot of people glad
5. He will be important in the Lords eyes
6. He will not drink wine ore such drinks
7. He will be filled with the holy spirit from his birth
8. He will bring many of Israel beck to the Lord
9. He will prepare the way of the Lord
10. He will have the same spirit and power like Elijah
11. He will teach parents how to love their children
12. He will also teach people who don't obey to be wise and do what is right.

13. He will prepare a people who are ready for the Lord

After this amazing list of promises Zacharias response was:

“How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is old too.”

The answer of the Angel:

I am Gabriel

I serve God

I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

And now you will have to be silent

You will not be able to speak until after John is born

That's because you did not believe my words

They will come true when the time is right

Zacharias and Elisabeth were people who did what was right before God.

But when God came the Angel had to say:

Because you did not believe 

The first time the word 'believe' comes up in the Gospel of Luk.

It does not come in the introduction

It does not come, when Zacharias and Elisabeth are described

It does obviously not come up when the Angel is there

But it does come up when the Angel finished all the promise

> DO I BELIEVE, WHAT GOD PROMISED ME?

my words

The Angel is not saying anything about his appearance

He sais MY WORDS

> MY FATH IS BUILD ON THE WORD OF GOD - DO I KNOW THE PROMISE FROM GOD FOR TODAY?

God give me faith for today - that all the time you are here. You never leave me. You would use even the smallest thing i do with faith in you.

God help me to believe in you, to believe you today!

Give me a different perspective

Your perspective!

Thank you that i could read today again

Your word is amazing!

Yesterday we had a meeting in the morning. Then a lot of E-Mails and phone calls. A little walk in the park with the Kids. Then the students came. Was great. Just enjoyed the time together, talking, playing 'Tabu', then watching 'as good as it gets'. Awesome to be family.
Luk1,1-4 Luk is writing, that many already gave report of what happened among them during the lifetime of Jesus on earth. Eye-witnesses from the beginning gave account as servants of the word.
> What is a servant of the word? Does he write what he wants? Does he write what the word wants?(What wants to word, who is the word?)
So Luk too thought by himself, it would be good, to write it down for Theophilus.
How did Luk come to writing down this things? From the beginning he researched carefully, to write it down in a orderly account - writing for Theophilus - 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
I am moved by the words Luk is using to start his Gospel-Version! Words like:
- 'I am not the only one - many other did the same'
- 'write down the story like it happened'
- 'people who saw it from the beginning shared it'
- 'as servants of the word'
- 'carefully investigated everything from the beginning'
- 'an orderly account'
- 'you may know the certainty'
TO KONW THE CERTAINTY OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.
Nothing - not one word about Believe ore Faith.
People today all say - i do not believe, i am not a believer, i want to have certainty.
But Luk gives certainty to Theophilus.
I need to give this scripture to the students in the university - they need to see that. We can be certain about what happened in the first century!
Believe - why is their no Believe? Is it because in this days, every thing was so short time ago - that it was not a question of believe but a question of, do i know the details, do i have a full picture, do i know it all?
Where then is believing coming in?
At least this makes very clear, that just to believe, that Jesus lived and died and raised was not to point. Just to say, yes it happened. Because Luk here sais - SO YOU KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THE THINGS. Believe is something more than acknowledgment of historical facts.
And also,
it is not about a guy sitting in a room writing down things, he thinks they are right. It is about a life. This life is the foundation of the teaching.
Not just words but daily life:
Perfection in interaction with others.
Miracles happened to others.
A revolution with just one man living it and many following him not understanding the hole time what is it really all about.
Connection to God in such a direct and powerful way like never before and after.
Incredible vulnerability - 'come and see!'
Complete obedience
Never sinned
Total honesty
...
It is amazing what a christian is actually doing and why he is a christian.Christ, he was incredible incredible.

Yesterday i had to go to a Office. People told me, you just need this and it will be enough. Even a lady on the phone, working in this Office, told me so. But then i came there, and what i had with me was not enough, not at all. I had to go home and collect all the different additional papers i would need. I am still collecting. I need even things from Switzerland too - i always think this is like being willing to enter heaven. Many people say - you just need this ore that - but in the end, when they arrive, did we studied the Bible to find out what God wants from us. Are we ready to enter, ore did we just listen to some peoples opinion and because it sounded so nicely ore human ore what ever interesting, kind of deep, we just took it and never really checked it with the Bible.

Mk16,9-20 It is a longer time since i read the end of Mark. Amazing what is in this last 11Verses. Jesus appears Maria of Magdala FIRST. She had 7demons before she first met Jesus. Jesus drove them all out. He is meeting Maria first, before all other disciples. - - Then in a different form, he appears to 2other disciples, not 2 of the 12close disciples. Maria and this 2 disciples always went to the other disciples and told them: "Jesus is risen and alive - we saw him."REALLY. But they never believed. This 11 close Jesus Disciples never believed. But then Jesus is appearing to them, when they were sitting at the table.

What is Jesus doing? "

he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 

" - in the german translation is even written:"for 

ihre Herzenshärtigkeit.

"
Not believing is hardness of my heart. When i talk to people at TU, i can see it. But when i think about me and my unbelief, i have a very heart time to see that my heart is hard ore stubborn. In fact, i was even surprised now, when i was reading through this verses, that Jesus is described as rebuking, in german 'schalt'. Wow - the attitude of God towards unbelief!
And then Jesus just moves on. I catch the unbelief-challange ore i don't. Either i have ears to hear or i do not hear.
Jesus tels them now: 

15 He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 

16 Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Preach the good news
Whoever believes and is baptized will be SAVED
Whoever does not believe will be condemned
And he promises them wonders as a prove, that God is with them
And then he is moving up, into the sky - into heaven. Sitting next to his father now. At the right side -
To be saved - Jesus is not making any secret out of it. Believe & Baptism (what kind of Baptism, if not to be saved, the context here is saving - Jesus makes this context).
To just believe without baptism = does it make sense then? Why not believing Jesus this second last paragraph before going up, back to his father?
To not believe and be baptized, baptized for what? = Does this make sense?
-
But i am so challenged by the believe! How do i feel, if people do not believe me, ore do not believe in me, the good in me? It is very heart, very painful. 'Look at him, he is just like this', 'Look at him, still the same - why is he doing it anyway?', 'Yeah - he will never change:-)',... / The disciples just could not believe, that God could change death into life again / ore the disciples could just not believe, that Jesus would NOT appear first to them, if he would rise from death, because they are so important / ore ...
How is my life, if i stop believing? It becomes dark again. I am sure Jesus is very clear on that - CHRISTOPH - BELIEVE! Other wise it becomes dark around you, and empty, and painful without meaning, and sad without hope, and ...
Faith is a gift from God. It is the give of a soft heart. God can change my heart!
God please give me faith today - that i can believe you, believe in you, have faith, that today miracles are possible, that i can see, what you prepared for me out there.
To believe God - to walk believing in him: the best life i can imagine. I know it. Still need to learn to life what i know - do be adopting what God wants to give me in every single moment of my life.

Yesterday was a great day. some great times with great friends! God really used all the times. I was surprised to see that. I had other days, were i had the same times with people but it was like i just would waste all this times. Not like this Yesterday. Today i have to leave soon. Not much time to write. Will come back during the day.
Mk16,1-8
Maria from Magdala, Maria the mother of James and Salome went and bought spices to anoint the body of Jesus. It was very early in the morning - Sunrising time. (They bought this very early in the morning) Then they went to the grave. They saw the stone rolled over. They went into the grave. They saw a young man in a white robe. It was shocking to them. The young man sad: "Do not be alarmed!" Jesus from Nazareth is risen from the death. The grave is empty - LOOK, HOW EMPTY IT IS! Here he was, now he is not here anymore! Then the young man tells them:"But go, tell his disciples and Peter." Go to Galilee. He will meet you there. Just as he told you before. The women run out trembling and bewildered. They sad nothing to anyone. BECAUSE - WHY? They were AFRAID!
1. Women are at the grave first - not his loving disciples.
2. Jesus is already risen.
3. The angle is repeating what Jesus told them before.
4. The angles tells them: Don't be alarmed!
5. The fear in them grew during the conversation so much, that they are now trembling and bewildered.
6. They run out and do not say anything to anyone.
According to the first versions of Mark, Mark is ending here.
Fearful women who know that Jesus is risen, but would not tell anyone anything.
/
It is such a cool end of the greatest story!
No one can know - but look at history!
Everybody knows now!
All know Jesus!
(More people know about Jesus, then they know about The Beatles{&i like the Beatles})
BUT the women overcame their own fear!
They told others and they again overcame their fear and told others!
They too overcame their fear and told others!
Till today - the Gospel is known because of someone
> who was trembling and bewildered
> and not respected
(like women in the 1.Century)
> BUT just loved Jesus in such a practical and simple
(Getting up early just to care for the dead body of Jesus)
> AND powerful
(A Angle appears to them and talks with them)
way, that they overcame their fear and told other - ME.
1Joh 5,5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.