What comes to mind when we hear the word ‘new?’ When I hear that word I think of something that has never been used. Never worn. Never read. Never owned by anyone. However, that isn’t necessarily how we see it in the bible when the term ‘new’ is used. It is often used to mean “transformation.”
Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
[2Co 5:17 NKJV]
Last year I researched the former home of a relative who passed many years ago. There were a lot of memories attached to that home. The house was up for sale so there were a lot of pictures of it online. Sadly, it was run down. The roof was covered with tarp. The front yard looked like a jungle. Inside the ceiling had water marks, the walls were in dire need of paint, and the floors were scuffed. Whoever owned the house had let it get so run down that it needed a lot of work to repair it. It was sad to see it in such a state.
Out of curiosity, to see if it had sold, I looked up the house again this year. What a transformation! Everything about it had been repaired or replaced. It almost looked like a brand new house. However, it still had a few features from the original structure that let me know it was still the same house. I still recognized it.
That is how we are going to be when Christ comes and takes us home. Our beat up bodies are going to be made new, but we will still be able to recognize our loved ones.
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
[1Th 4:13-14 NKJV]
The apostle Paul was telling believers who missed their loved ones who had gone before them that they would see them again. We will see them and we will recognize them.
Our old bodies that have been used so much that we often don’t like to look in a mirror are going to be transformed into glorious, new bodies! Our earthly bodies die a little bit every day, but our new bodies will be indestructible and eternal. As Christ was still recognized after the resurrection, so shall we be recognized in our new bodies. We will still look like us but we will be transformed!
As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!
[Jhn 20:20 NLT]
The transformation of the house was incredible. It looked like a brand new house, yet, there were parts of the old that remained so I could see it was the same house. Our new bodies will be that way. They will be new but, just like Christ still had marks from the beating and crucifixion, we will have features that will remain so our loved ones can recognize us and we can recognize them.
What a joyous time that will be! New bodies! New home! Eternity with the King!
| You made the sunrise Day after day after day But there’s a morning coming When old things will all pass away And everyone will see You make all things new You make all things new Come redeem and come transform Come renew and restore You make all things new You make all things new And forever we will watch and worship You All Things New |
