Impactful Christian mission proclaims some reasons why we need Jesus, especially for the New Year (Matt 18:20; 28:20). The need for Jesus Christ in the New Year is greater than the need for anything else. The problem is that it is easy to ignore our greatest needs when we do not know how to meet them. Just as Christmas warns us not to reduce our needs to food, money, or temporary happiness, the greatest needs of mankind remain unfulfilled.
The question is why do you need Jesus? Jesus expressed His love to you and me by paying the price for our sins thereby redeeming us from our sinful past, law of sin and death. Beloved, you and I cannot go back to our pasts, but Jesus can because, He is ‘… the same yesterday, and today, and for ever’ (Heb 13:8). Only Jesus can walk and work in those places of sin, rebellion, anger, pride, wipe the slate clean, and give you and me a new beginning even at the beginning of a New Year.
You and I need Jesus Christ because as a friend, He knows the worst about you and me, yet He believes the best. Jesus Christ ‘sees you not as you are but as you will be when He gets through with you.’ Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1855) in his hymn, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ points to Jesus as the bearer of our sins and grief. Jesus is a friend so faithful who share our sorrows because He knows our every weakness. Are you going through trials and temptations, weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care? The truth is that earthly friends can despise and forsake you and me. You and I need such a true friend, Jesus Christ.
You and I need Jesus Christ not only as our true friend, but we also need Jesus because He holds the future. Bill Gaither in one of his hymns offers us a good reflection on the need for Jesus who holds future, as a friend who is able to walk into our dark spots:
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Chorus
And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!
Chorus
Beloved, remember, everyone needs the Lord Jesus Christ but not everyone knows it. Now you know. What will you do now? Receive Him as Your Lord and Saviour.
Happy renewing New Year 2024.
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