A New Song for a New Year
Something to consider as 2022 approaches.
A new year always brings thoughts of new beginnings.
We often set new goals for ourselves before starting a new year.
A new year means we look to the future and the new opportunities we hope it will bring.
Since many of us are thinking about the future (or soon will be), perhaps now would be a good time to remind us about Heaven and the new song sung there.
The apostle John wrote by inspiration, “And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you have been slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,” (Rev. 5:9).
The new song is a song about the worthiness of Christ.
John paints the picture of a fantastic scene in Heaven of a host numbering “ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands” (Rev. 5:11). His point is that this group of beings is so large it seems to go on forever and ever!
What is this innumerable host doing? They are saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).
If the hosts of Heaven praise Christ for His worthiness, then surely we must do the same!
The new song is a song about the sacrifice of Christ.
May we never forget that Jesus Christ died on that old rugged cross for us. Jesus was brutally scourged before He was even nailed to the cross (Mark 15:15).
After being scourged, He had a crown of thorns beaten into His head (Mark 15:17-19).
Finally, He was nailed to that cross, left to hang there for six excruciating hours until His death (Mark 15:24-39).
Thanks be to God that He did not remain dead in that tomb but arose on the first day of the week (Mark 16:1-8)!
The new song is a song about the purpose of Christ.
Jesus said He came to this earth to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He was “offered once to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28). The spotless Lamb of God died to shed His precious blood for us (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Therefore, God has highly exalted Him above every other name (Phil. 2:5-11).
What should be our response to the highly exalted Savior?
He should be worshipped and obeyed.
Let’s remember that Christ is worthy of our praise, He died on the cross and was resurrected, and His death was to take our place.
As we prepare to begin a new year and set goals, may we never forget about the new song that is sung about our Lord and Savior. We should never forget what truly matters.
As we approach the new year, let’s commit to faithfully follow Him on the road to Heaven - the place that He has prepared for us (John 14:1-6).