We must not miss the expansive nature of this new creation. Jesus, in his death and resurrection, has not only opened up the possibility that people might find forgiveness of sins. This much is true. But when Paul later says, “If anyone is in Christ—new creation!” (2 Cor. 5:17) the further point is that God’s plan for the cosmos has now been fulfilled. The King of Israel has arrived and is gathering a people to himself, for the purpose of restoring humanity to its intended, blessed state. The story