Worthy is the Lamb
“Worthy is the Lamb”
[1] Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” [3] And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, [4] and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. [5] And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
[6] And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. [7] And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. [8] And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
[10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,and they shall reign on the earth.”
[11] Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, [12] saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
[13] And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
[14] And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
(Revelation 5 ESV)
Consider who is writing this book of Scripture. Consider what this man is seeing before him…
This is John… one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. One of three who were in the inner circle of Jesus. “The one whom Jesus loved”.
For almost three years John followed Jesus, listened to him teach, heal both Jews and Gentiles, turn the religious system upside down, and die a criminal’s death on a cross.
John saw Jesus resurrected three days after he was crucified and he watched Jesus ascend to the heavens.
Did John get it? Did John understand the cross? Did John understand what Jesus was teaching in the synagogues and on the mountain side?
When I read this passage from Revelation I often put myself in John’s shoes. I try to consider… “what would I have thought? What would I have done?”.
John is watching heaven unfold before him. He sees Jesus, the slain lamb, broken, bruised, and bleeding standing before the angels of God as the angels declare that he has the only right to open the seal of God’s scroll.
The angels worship this lamb, John’s friend, and they cry out “Worthy is the lamb that was slain!”
As this is unfolding before John, a man walks to John and whispers, “Weep no more.”
This lamb, this Lion is the conqueror.
I can’t read this story and not reflect on my own life and what Christ has conquered. The sin that enslaved my heart, my body, and my mind was too much for me. It was stronger than me and it wanted to destroy me. If given a chance the sin would ruin my marriage, my family, my friends, and those whom I love most in this world.
But Christ, the lamb, the lion, the conquerer looked at me with compassion. The darkness in my life, the sin, and the hopelessness could now be done away with.
As I look upon the slain lamb it brings understanding of what has been done. What I could not do, Christ did for me. Where I was without hope, Christ gave me hope. Where there was darkness, Christ gave me light.
John looked upon the lamb… slain, broken, bleeding and I believe in that moment it all made sense. This is why he died. This is why he was born.
He was born to suffer. He was born to die.
And in his death lies the hope of humanity that was lost in the Garden so long ago. Christ died that we may have life.
Look at the picture posted on this blog (Sr. Grace Remington)…
As Eve stands before Christ’s mother… she places her hand on Mary’s womb and there is a breath of peace… of hope… as I picture Mary saying to Eve, “Weep no more. The lamb has come for us.”
REFLECTION FOR FAMILIES
Read Revelation 5. What stands out to you in this passage?
Read Ephesians 2:1-10. Do these words portray how you typically think of yourself? Why or why not?
Think about the greatest Christmas gift that you ever received as a child. What was it? Where is it now? Spend a few minutes thinking about the various gifts that God has given you. What are some of your most precious gifts?
Read Revelation 22:7-20. What does this promise about the future for those who are in Christ? What does this say about the promises from Christ for us now? How does this call us to live today?
What comes to your mind and heart as your reflect on the picture of Eve and Mary?