Finding Purpose in the New Year
The presents are unwrapped, the decorations start to look tired, and the leftovers are almost gone and now we’re left with the question we wrestle with every year: how do we leave Christmas behind once again and move forward? We've celebrated the Good News of Jesus' birth, but is there Good News for us in the New Year?
From Manger to Mission
What was next for the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke after sharing the Good News of Jesus' birth? The next major character introduced is John the Baptist. And in Mark's Gospel, where there is no account of the Nativity, we jump right in with John's story at the very beginning:
"The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way'—'a voice of one calling in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."' And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Mark 1:1-4).
The Christmas season has led us up to the celebration of baby Jesus' birth, but John comes on the scene and immediately draws our attention to Jesus the almighty Savior who has come to serve and save the world.
An Unusual Messenger
John is quite an interesting character. He is identified as the messenger prophesied by Isaiah who would come to prepare the way for the Messiah, but it makes you wonder about Jesus' PR strategy if this is the guy who is supposed to be his opening act.
Living like a wild man out in the Judean wilderness, wearing what had to have been some uncomfortable threads, and what about that questionable diet of insects and honey? This guy is not getting invited to any $1000 a plate black-tie charity dinners at the Jerusalem Ritz-Carlton. But he had a message that hit home, and people flocked out to the countryside in droves to hear him preach.
A Two-Fold Message
John's message was two-fold. First, he calls people to repentance for forgiveness of sins. And what he means by repentance is not a polite admission of feeling sorry for our sins, no, it means turning our lives around, leaving our sins behind and charting a new path forward. It is a whole new orientation, a new beginning, a new meaning and purpose for our life centered around God's leadership.
Repentance in its broadest sense is about changing how we live in this world, treating one another with the same love and grace God extends to us. This in itself is Good News we take forward into the New Year.
In the second part of his message, we see that John truly understands his place. As Mark tells us: "And this was his message: 'After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit'" (Mark 1:7-8).
John knows that dunking them in the muddy Jordan River is only a precursor to the real change to come when Jesus hits the scene.
The Powerful Servant
Jesus comes as the powerful one, but he also will be a servant. He is not an invincible warrior who vanquishes his enemies with his sword. The powerful one will die a powerless death on a cross. And through his death, he reconciles us with God so that we truly can repent and be forgiven.
John the Baptist is the messenger who prepares the way of the Lord and in that sense, he is a model for our calling as Christians today. God's purpose in the world is to reclaim and renew his creation through Jesus. Our purpose, like John's, is to share that Good News as we walk humbly with God, acknowledging our place, living out the four themes typically associated with Advent: Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love.
Carrying the Message Forward
Remember the Christmas carol "Joy to the World"? It was written by Isaac Watts more as a worship song than specifically about the birth of Jesus. Its final verses capture John's themes perfectly:
"No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love."
Putting It Into Practice
As we enter this New Year, how can we follow John's example?
Embrace repentance as a lifestyle - Not just feeling sorry, but actively turning toward God's way of living.
Know your place in God's story - Like John, recognize that our role is to point others to Jesus, not to ourselves.
Prepare the way - In your family, workplace, and community, how can you help prepare hearts to receive Jesus?
Share the Good News with humility - The message isn't about us, but about the one who is more powerful than we are.
Now as we make our way into the New Year, may this be the Good News we take with us and share with all those around us, that the Christ of Christmas is also the King who "rules the world with truth and grace" all year long.
Reflection
John the Baptist lived a humble, unconventional life in the wilderness, yet people flocked to hear his message. In what areas of your life might God be calling you to humble yourself and serve others?
John's message of repentance wasn't merely about feeling sorry, but about turning our lives around, leaving our sins behind and charting a new path forward. What specific patterns or habits might God be asking you to turn away from as you enter this new year?
John understood his role was to point people to Jesus, not himself. How might you more effectively point others to Jesus through your words and actions in the coming year?
The carol "Joy to the World" reminds us that Jesus "rules the world with truth and grace." How might embracing this truth change your outlook on the challenges you anticipate in the new year?
Application
Like John the Baptist, we are called to be messengers who prepare the way for Jesus in the hearts of those around us. This week, commit to one specific action that demonstrates repentance (turning toward God's way) and one action that points others to Jesus. Perhaps this means reconciling a relationship, beginning a new spiritual discipline, or intentionally sharing God's love with someone who needs encouragement. Remember that our purpose, like John's, is to share the Good News as we walk humbly with God, acknowledging our place in living out God’s Kingdom on earth.
Prayer
Gracious God, as we leave the celebration of Christmas behind and move into a new year, help us to carry the Good News forward like John the Baptist. Give us the courage to repent, to turn away from sin and chart a new path centered on your leadership. May we humbly point others to Jesus, the powerful One who came to serve and save. Help us to live as messengers of your hope, joy, peace, and love in a world that desperately needs this Good News. Let your blessings flow through us "far as the curse is found" as we seek to honor you in this new season. In Jesus' name, Amen.
