Blake Allen, Student and Outreach Minister, LHBC
Revelation 5:1-10
“5 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, 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.”
Have you ever struggled with the feeling that you weren’t good enough for something? Apparently, I am enneagram 5 which essentially means I am very analytical and a processor. Many times I overthink things in my life. I want to be sure my work is good enough. I want to be liked and good enough for others. When I play sports, I want to be competitive enough to be recognized for my abilities; after all it feels good to be one of the first people selected on a team. I want to be smart enough to hold my own in a debate. In other words, in all circumstances of life, I want to be enough. Essentially, I want to be viewed as worthy in the eyes of others.
And yet I find that the message of the Gospel spits right in the face of my being enough “selfology.” The reality is I am not enough. I have many flaws. I have made many mistakes. I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But the beauty of the message of the Gospel is that I don’t have to be.
This is the picture we see in Revelation 5. The scroll was filled with pages of information concerning God’s unveiled plan of future judgment, salvation, and restoration. But no angel, no elder around the throne, no follower of Christ, or any other being was worthy to open the scroll, read it, and bring about God’s plan… No one on earth or in heaven was considered worthy….That is no one other than Christ.
The only one found worthy was one who stood like a slaughtered lamb. The picture we get is of Christ who was the sacrificial lamb. But this sacrificial lamb who was slain was standing. It is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Though he was slain, He now stands victorious. He has conquered all things by His might and power. And he offers us new life in Him.
Christ took our judgment so we did not have to incur the punishment we deserve. He offers us salvation and restoration. Our good works would never be enough to save us. The reality is you and I are unworthy of salvation. We are not good enough to earn God’s blessings or favor. We can’t live up to our own standards yet alone God’s standards. But that is why Christ came. He is the conquering Messiah. He is the victorious one. He has all the power and authority in heaven and on earth.
Don’t live life trying to be seen as worthy in the eyes of others. Live your life for the one who is. After all we are all broken people in need of a savior. There is only one who is worthy of the praises and affections of all.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Jesus, you are worthy of all praise. You deserve the glory and praise for you are the conquering Messiah. May we live our life for you and you alone. In Jesus name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.