The perfect creation of God lasted only two chapters into the book of Genesis. Sin entered the world and death by sin, says Scripture, but God in His perfect nature, created a way out by granting a savior (see Genesis 3:15). Genesis reminds us that sin made Adam and Eve aware of their nakedness before God. But God in His mercy, clothed them with garments but also showing mercy in His agape love. Sin continued pervasively ending with the great flood with only the eight survivors – Noah and his family.
Both testaments point to a new life through the deliverance by the promised One of God. Faith in that promise is stated throughout the Old Testament (“O. T.”) and continues in the New Testament (“N.T.”) in the time of Christ and beyond. Perhaps one of the most prominent stories in God’s Word is in the gospel of John where Nicodemus approaches Jesus at night; and inquisitive about what he has seen and heard about Jesus. While he acknowledges that Jesus must be from God, his eyes were clouded with impaired vision. Jesus said, “unless a man is born again…he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Just as Nicodemus failed to see the true meaning of Jesus’ statement, so also the O. T. kingdom of Israel walked blindly at times having fallen away from God.
From the time of Egyptian captivity forward, Israel’s unbelief did not grasp the meaning of the “Land of Milk and Honey.” Physically, it represents the land of Canaan, but spiritually it represents a life of faith and life eternally in the promises of God – the Messiah! The prophet Isaiah served during time when the Assyrians captured the northern tribes of Israel with threats toward Judah. Isaiah is very poignant regarding the Judeans apostasy, abusing temple sacrifices to their selflessness and idolatry (Lutheran Bible Companion, Volume 1, p. 734). But Isaiah offers up an olive branch of hope to a remnant in his later chapters. Listen to Isaiah 65:17ff, “I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered…But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.” (paraphrased)
The prophet Ezekiel lived some years later after Isaiah during the time of the Babylonian captivity (over 20 years as prophet, per Lutheran Bible Companion). In spite of Israel’s faithlessness, God continued to keep His covenant. Ezekiel writes, “…I will give you a new heart and put my Spirit within you.” (38:26ff, paraphrased) Yes, life anew.
Life anew is only available in Christ. Following Pentecost, the apostles were bold preaching a life in Christ. St. Paul reminds the church at Galatia, that circumcision is of no value, rather, it is a new creation in Christ! Likewise, Paul reminds the church at Corinth that “anyone in Christ…is a new creation.” (2 Cor. 5:17, paraphrased) I am reminded about this life anew from a hand-written note in my study Bible. Listen! “Life awaits the believer.”
My professional career as a pharmacist revealed multiple situations where God was at work. There is none more memorable than when a relatively young women with terminal cancer was admitted to one of my facilities under hospice care for her final days. Hospice services provide not only clinical support staff, but also spiritual advisors. In this situation, the hospice chaplain offered the Word of God to this woman. Heretofore, she was oblivious to God and His saving grace. But the Spirit of God worked in her heart offered by the chaplain’s message. As such, I witnessed a glorious event as she was baptized by the chaplain in a small janitor’s closet sink. She experienced life anew. Her reward came soon thereafter as she was welcomed home with her Lord and Savior. Praise the LORD!
As Christians, we too experience this life anew as St. Paul expresses in his letter to his student, Titus. “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…so that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5ff) This washing of rebirth is accomplished by water and the Word in Holy Baptism. Yes, we have put on a new self, says St. Paul to the church at Colossae. In the final chapters of Revelation, St. John says, “I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Rev. 21:6)
Even though we daily sin much, God in His love, continues to show mercy and forgiveness by the blood of the Lamb of God. He, Jesus, is truly the “living water” that is ours in faith gifted by the Spirit of God. The final chapter in our “life anew” is in His eternal presence. To God be the Glory! Amen.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
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Thanks, Colonel!