All Things New

Taking out the garbage this morning, I noticed we had new dumpsters in our apartment complex. I caught myself admiring how "nice" they looked, what with their shiny dumpster steel and all. What struck me was how much anything new grabs our attention. The trouble with things "new" is that they don't remain that way. So even as we appreciate the "newness" and want to somehow preserve it, there's already an anticipation of loss in our knowing that the "newness" is passing and temporary. Some of us actually have a hard time with this and so end up constantly moving from one new thing to the next, looking and searching for that ever elusive something whose newness is not passing but is somehow permanent or even inexpicably intensifying.

For the two years before moving to Glenside, PA (just outside Philadelphia) in 2005 to attend Westminster Theological Seminary, I worked in Newark, NJ. It probably won't surprise you to know that there are a lot of ugly, rundown buildings in Newark. Each of those buildings was at one time new when they were constructed. For those who owned, lived in or even rented business space in them, the "new" buildings briefly instilled a sense of hope before their decay.

The interesting thing I find is that while we are attracted to the novelty of newness, what we more deeply long for is its permanency. In wanting things to "stay new," which on the surface might appear to be a contradiction, what is revealed is that "newness" isn't so much a function of time as it is a condition or status; hence the phrase "good as new."

I think we have every reason to be drawn to things new. The anticipation of things new is all over the Scriptures, with Isaiah audaciously writing of the creation of a new heaven and new earth. Is. 65:17. The rumbling of expectation in the Hebrew Scriptures explodes all over the pages of the New Testament. There is a new covenant, new song, new life, new birth, new wine, new self and new Jerusalem. In Christ, there is a new creation. This is isn't just on an individual level, but globally and cosmically. The resurrection definitively pronounces that sin, evil and death have been defeated. Now, as a present reality. But not fully and finally. Thus "already" and "not yet" (hey, that sounds familiar). This renewal is now being worked out in history to its completion through the work of Jesus by his Spirit. And it is happening in the same manner Jesus brought it about - through life-giving, life-transforming speech and actions, marked by truth, love, self-denial, courage, humility, obedience, joy, self-giving, forgiveness, justice, mercy and grace.

That is why the New Testament speaks of taking up our cross and following Jesus. In a sense, we are called to recapitulate the life of Jesus in our own experience. He gives us the privilege of walking the same path he walked. But our cross-bearing, unlike his, is not one of shame and ignominy and judgment. Ours is in a sense a sign of our present resurrection. That is also why in the New Testament there is much talk of participation in the sufferings of Christ; and there is even rejoicing at even being found worthy to identify with him in such a way.

It is what Christ has done and is now doing that is real and lasting and permanent and new, being renewed. The old creation is giving way to the glory of the new creation; the old earth is giving way to the new heavens and new earth. All of which will be brought to completion upon the return of the one who is now, in his glorified resurrection body, the new creation, "reconciling to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." Colossians 1:20

"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'" Rev. 21:5.