There are some stories draw me again and again. One of them is – to say it most dramatically – the one that explains how exactly all of humanity failed. Yes, it’s about Adam and Eve (whose names are emphasized to be Human and Life at this point in the story). Perhaps I’m drawn by this incident because it is the uncontested winner in the category of world-changing – for even the resurrection gets the depth of its meaning from the drastic consequences of this dreadful failure.

This is about the greatest story, the one with the most surprising story arc. The story of a God who’s grace and righteousness realize the communion between Himself and all mankind.

How can this be? The question sounds clumsy. Still, it’s from the mouth of a “teacher of teachers”, one highly educated and deeply immersed in the writings of his time. Nicodemus, that’s the name of the questioner, is an example to me, and hopefully us all – for not too often the answer to a simple question, through the twists and turns of history, somehow becomes part of my life’s foundation. And in the humor of this sacred literature, the answerer is none less than the answer himself.

Recently, someone told me that one of my most defining characteristics is friendship. And while there is more to that particular event, if anyone had said that about me 8 years ago, I would have laughed. Thomas has no friends is what I was told too many times. Back then, this statement wasn't true in its absolute form, but I was certainly not working to be a good friend – quite opposite, I'd put in a lot of effort to proof my lack of friends to be a superior trait.

Germany. Recently, God has told me a lot about you. Today we celebrate your unification. A country with a torn identity.