The Lamb of God

Revelation 5:1-6 - Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"  But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.  I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.  Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."  Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

The scroll…a secret document…written on both sides…sealed for just the right time.  This scroll contains information so important….so private   …that no human is found worthy enough to open it…not even a angel is worthy!  John is moved to tears and weeping at the thought of this information going unread…or maybe his tears are because the world can’t find anyone worthy enough…good enough….righteous enough to open it and teach its content to others. Maybe his tears are because he recognizes his own need to be more worthy.

But just as sure as John thought the sure ending of the story was upon him...that the scroll will never be revealed…that the world is doomed…John’s vision continues as the elders explain that a Lion…the root of David…a descendant of Judah…has been found…and he is worthy to open the sealed scroll. The mighty Lion of Judah…prophesied in Isaiah 11:1…had of course triumphed and was worthy to open the great scroll. The elders comfort him and tell him not to cry….the story is not ended…the sealed scroll will be opened.

Then John turns to see the figure of a lamb…one whom must have still bore the physical marks of its horrible death…because he said it looked like it had been slain.  The lamb who bore our sins…who conquered death…who rose again to sit at his father’s right hand...was found worthy to open the scroll…but the crowd is so overwhelmed by this fact that the rest of this chapter is devoted to such rich worship and praise as I have never witnessed on this Earth. The elders sang praise..the angels sang praises…it must have been a glorious sound to John’s ears.

Made me think of that great verse… John 1:29…where John the Baptist recognized our wonderful  Messiah..and called him “the Lamb of God!” for the first time. Maybe that was Jesus’ signal to begin his true ministry….to help the world comprehend that the mighty Lion in this story was not a military King…but a sacrificial one…the mightiest lion of the world chose to become the sacrificial lamb prophesied in Isaiah 53. Abraham had must have read this great book too...for he expected God to provide a lamb in Genesis 22:8.  Even the Passover rules required the families to sacrifice a lamb … to wipe the door posts with its blood…to protect their young from the death angel. A lamb…will lay down with the Lion and peace will rule on the Earth.

Father…I thank you for being my lamb. I just simply thank you…for this unworthy human has no bells and whistles…no great works….no sacrifices that will ever come close to what you gave up for my salvation. Thank you for giving up your son…to walk in human form on the Earth….and sacrifice of his own choosing to give me life everlasting with you. Help me learn to praise you like these elders…like these angels…like the four creatures I may someday see when it is my turn to behold your glory.  Help me to listen for the words of the ‘John the Baptist’ you have placed on the Earth in my season of life to reveal what ministry you have placed me here to do. Amen.