Yes, it is a new year! For some, a new year is the beginning of new expectations; high hopes; and the ability for a fresh, new start. For others, it is a fear of the unknown! Will things get better? Will the pandemic get worse? Will we ever be able to get rid of our masks?
The Best and Worst of Times
The New Testament world Christ entered carried many of the same hopes and ambitions we bring into each New Year. The pagan society at that time consisted of divided social classes. There were wealthy landowners, politicians, government contractors and others who lived in luxury. There was the middle class, a group of people who were often homeless and food deprived due to their absence of job security. And then there were the slaves, who did most of the work. Family values were challenged by easy divorces and widespread immorality. As Charles Dickens wrote in his famous book, A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom. It was the age of foolishness. It was the epoch of belief. It was the epoch of incredulity.”
The Jews had hoped for a deliverer who would rescue them from the Roman government’s oppression. Their expectation was to be rid of Roman dictatorship. And so they anticipated the coming Messiah would change all of their unresolved problems. The Old Testament Scriptures promised, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Promised Peace and Power
For the Jews, this was great news. But there was a problem. When Jesus the Messiah came, He spoke of no revolts or uprisings, but spoke instead of peace. He promised a peace that surpassed their understanding. It was a revolution of the heart. But then He was crucified, and things became complicated. Suddenly, little change seemed possible. Those who had set their expectations for change on Him were disappointed. They experienced a pandemic of grief.
Yet those who had received Christ as their Savior received something much better than political or economic change. They were given incomprehensible power. John said in his Gospel, “But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13 HCSB) After Jesus’ resurrection, believers received power to become children of God, to live holy lives, to resist temptation, to please God, to experience a peace that was alien to their culture and to find a foundation for their eternal hope in Him.
Good News of Great Joy
You may feel either a pandemic of grief, or the power of eternal hope as you enter the New Year. More than likely, you’ve already decided what outlook you will take, so there may not be much that I can say to change your view. I will say this: Don’t be discouraged or afraid if the headlines are still focusing on the pandemic and the news media is still talking about the problems of our society. Remember the story of good news that was shared by an angel with a few shepherds on a cold night in Bethlehem: “Fear not, I bring you good news and glad tidings. A baby is born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.” (Luke 2:10-12)
This was good news, but it didn’t stop in the manger. The good news is, the baby was Christ our Lord, whose resurrection still provides hope for us despite all that is happening in our fallen world. Christ has come, and He is able to provide peace amidst the discouraging storms of our life, no matter how difficult things may seem. If you haven’t received His peace, please follow this link which will tell you how. If you already know Jesus as your Savior, even though you might see reasons for discouragement, He is able to give you His peace so you will not only have a happy New Year; but you can also have a New Year with a new mindset, that will produce in you a new joy!
Article by Dr. L.W. Edwards
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