Many look to a new start in the new year. The King, Jesus Christ, offers anyone who so desires a new beginning: “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5).
Truly new beginnings is found in Jesus Christ: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3). “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9). The idea of “going in and out” does not refer to leaving and coming back to Jesus. Rather, it refers to the freedom we have in Christ. We are free to live without regret and fear. We enjoy peace and our wellbeing is not bound by temporal concerns. “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2). The Lord will sustain us. He is our Strength and Provider. He has promised “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).
“Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:13) “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23).
Born again by the power of the breath of God, the Word of His Son, we are now a new creation. Not of this world, but of His world. We are become a kingdom of priests to minister His righteousness, peace and joy to the nations.
“And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.” (Isaiah 61:6). “and Jesus Christ has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father – to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (Revelations 1:6).
You want new beginning? Take the truly new beginning, which is offered to you today – in Jesus Christ. He is like no man. He is like no angel. He is pure love. Pure faithfulness. He is The Good Shepherd.
“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness… I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” (Ezekiel 34:11-16)
Jesus Christ said:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:11-18)
“Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
(Hebrews 13:20-21)
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