5th Sunday of Easter

 New and Improved.   

New!

That is the catch phrase of all advertising. 

It is plastered across every product in the store. 

New and Improved!

Because people want new things. 

They want better things. 

They are tired of the old. 

So we buy new clothes,

New cars

New homes

New products.  

But how new are they really. 

A few new bells here. 

A few new whistles there. 

A few tweaks and upgrades. 

But nothing really new and different. 

Jesus however offers us something radically new. 

He offers us a New Heavens and a New Earth Rev. 21:1-2

Where there will be no death or mourning, crying or pain;

Where every tear will be wiped away. Rev. 21:4

But in order to receive the new we must let go of the old. 

The old resentments;

The old prejudices;

The old hurtful memories;

The old attitudes;

The old self;

What we need to change and make new is not what we wear, or the phone we use or the car we drive. 

What we need to change and make new is ourselves. 

Only Jesus can do this because He makes ALL things new. Rev. 21:5

Next time we go to the store and see something "new and improved"

Next time we see a product changed and upgraded. 

Next time we  think we need new clothes because we are tired of the old ones and want a "new look."

We should take a look at ourselves instead and see 

What needs upgrading in our spiritual life. 

What needs to be improved in our attitude. 

What needs to be made new in our lives. 

And turn to Jesus who makes ALL things New!  Rev. 21:5