All Things New
Many people have come to me with their problems; seeking my counsel on how to resolve their crisis. Some come with a victim mentality, in which they desire that I talk to their husband, wife, friend, etc., that have hurt or taken advantage of them. They expect that I should defend them against the one who caused their problems. Others want a formula to get out of a financial crisis or a bad marriage. Some are looking for license for their deviant behavior, while others for agreement with their side of the story. Most are looking for a “fix-it” solution. Few are willing to change.
One evening a religious leader, Nicodemus, came to Jesus to know if He was the one who would fix their nation. He understood that the Messiah would do just that. The evils caused by the Roman domination of their land, the corruption of the politicians and the sinfulness of the people, would all be corrected by the coming of a triumphant Messiah. This was their hope. This is what Israel was waiting for. Jesus answered Nicodemus, by saying that he needed to be born again. This just didn’t make sense. How could he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again. Then Jesus explained that this new birth was of the Spirit. Jesus was saying that He came not to put a patch on an old garment, but to make all things new. Nicodemus needed to change before his nation would change.
New wine needs to be placed in a new wineskin to be preserved. The old cannot be fixed, it must be made new. Abraham exemplified this new life, when he received a new name. At the age of 75, Abram received the promise of a new land, new nation and that he would be great and a blessing many. (Gen. 12) At the age of 90, Abram received the promise of descendants. (Gen. 15) Then, at the age of 99, Abram’s name was changed to Abraham. (Gen. 17) With the change of his name, there was a change of his identity and nature. New wine was poured into this new wineskin and immediately Sara became pregnant.
There are two Greek words for WORD. The first is Logos. Logos means complete revelation. Though this word was used among Greek philosophers to describe thought and rhetoric, John, the Apostle, used it describe Jesus as the manifestation of divine truth and wisdom. For clarity, let me compare Logos to seeds. The second word used is the word Rhema. This is the spoken word. Faith comes by the Word-Logos, (seed), being spoken-Rhema, (planted). (Rom. 10.17) In other words, the seed must be planted to bring forth new life. You can have a lot of revelation and knowledge, but until the seed is planted into your life, there will be no new birth.
The effectiveness of advertising feeds on one’s hope for a quick fix of one’s problems. Whether it be unmanageable hair, or being overweight, or sleepless nights the quest for an easy formula is insatiable. Fortunes are spent on becoming thinner, happier and more successful. Even Christians will go from church to church to find some remedy for their problems, some quick-rich-scheme or someone to agree with them against their opponent. What Jesus offers is a metamorphosis; a change of natures. The old passes away and all things become new. Instead of trying to patch up the old life, get a new one. Let go of your control and trust God. There is a new life waiting for you.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Mat. 9.16-17; John 1.1, 14; 3.3-6; 16; II Cor. 5.17; Is. 65.17