2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 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.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
In the midst of our despair and sadness is one who triumphed, Jesus himself. He has done so by living in our death and allowing Himself to succumb to it. And in His moment of death, death itself died. Though hard to see sometimes, the process of Christ making all things new, even reversing death itself has begun.
Notice, there is more. The sacrifice of Christ empowers those once despairing to serve in His kingdom. Often my commitment is half-baked, yet Jesus was all in. He held back nothing. Why am I holding back?
I hold back for many reasons, but God is calling and empowering me to see the all-in-even-to-the-death approach of Jesus,. and to follow.
Jesus, you are my life. Because You cannot be taken from me, help me to follow no matter the cost. Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Ken Brown, Pastor
Christ Community Church – Walnut Creek
I love your statement “Jesus you are my life. . .help me to follow no matter the cost. . .”
Amen
This morning I attended Easter service with those purchased by His blood “in another language and people and nation.” Spending Easter with my folks in Costa Rica–the land of my childhood, was a true blessing, and together we sang as One Body, songs of celebration to our risen Lord.
Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb who was slain.
(PS. My Father greeted me this morning with “Christ is risen” to which I responded “He is risen indeed.” How blessed I felt to be part of such a rich heritage of believers. God is so good!)
Feliz dia de la resurreccion!
He is risen indeed!
I so agree- thinking of my limitations-and not seeing or a glimpse of what God see’s in me holds me back.
I’m reminded this morning that Im set free,not bound to lies of what I used to be,transformed renewed and cleansed is who I am now….Wow!