by Rev Steve Nickodemus

Entirely New!

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“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'”
Revelation 21:5a

A new year and a new decade.  After contemplating last year’s struggles and sins and failures, I felt like it would be great if I could start completely new with a clean slate and a clean heart… without all of my old patterns and old guilt hanging over me.

Then I suddenly realized, “This is exactly why Jesus died and rose for me and for all people!”

I could not make myself new, I could not wipe away my sins and failures.  I could not clean off the stains on my soul and turn away the accusing finger of condemnation from me.  I could not make all things new.

But God could.  And because He loved you so much, that is what He did.  He sent His only Son into this world and gave Him up for us all.  Jesus willingly sacrificed His own life to clean up your life.  He died for all who would believe in Him that they would not perish, but have everlasting life.

My heart and my life are new in Jesus Christ and each day, not just the first day of the new year, Jesus’ blood forgives all my sins and washes me clean.  He makes me a new creature, a new son birthed in His redeeming love.

And one day, very soon, the same Lord Jesus who died and rose for us is coming back to take His people home.  And He will make a new heaven and a new earth and there will be no more tears and no more sin and no more death… and all things will be forever new.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you have made me new in you.  Thank you that your promises are new every morning! Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado