The Slaughtered Lamb is Worthy – Day 30
Intention
To focus our attention on and exalt the worthy Lamb.
Scripture
“I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’”
– Revelation 5:2
“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb…”
– Revelation 5:5–6
Reflection
The Apostle John had the most incredible experience on the Island of Patmos.
John relates his vision of seeing the Father with a scroll in His right hand (Rev 5:1). Then, a mighty angel thunders out, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
But no human, throughout all of history, was found who was worthy of opening the scroll. All were disqualified (Rev 5:3).
And so, overcome with emotion, John weeps and weeps, because the situation seems hopeless (Rev 5:4).
But then John is corrected with these words: “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered…” (Rev 5:5). There is someone worthy – but only one! The Lion has conquered. The Davidic King has overcome. He is the triumphant one!
John turns to see this conquering Lion, this mighty man, this worthy one.
But he sees one, not one like a lion, but like a slaughtered lamb. It is an anti-climax?
Not in the slightest.
Almost immediately a new song is sung to this conquering one: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered” (Rev 5:9). Let’s focus on that last phrase: “… because you were slaughtered.”
In God’s kingdom economy, it’s the last in this life who will be first in the next (Luke 13:30), and it’s those who lose their life that will save it (Matt 16:25).
The reason Jesus is found worthy is because He made Himself last (Phil 2:7–8). No man has ever, or will ever, know suffering and death as He did. For no man has ever had the sin of the world placed upon Him other than Jesus.
No man has had the experience of perfect eternal intimacy with the Father – only to lose it in His time of most desperate need, as the Father turns His face away from His Son (Matt 27:46).
He made Himself nothing (Phil 2:7), the lowest of low, the scum of the earth. As a result, the Father will make Him everything (Phil 2:9–11), the highest over all, the king of all kings and Lord of all nations (Rev 19:16).
He became the greatest servant (Phil 2:7). The Father will one day install Him as the great servant-king on Zion, His holy mountain (Ps 2:6).
Right now, we are called to “follow the Lamb” (Rev 14:4) – to follow Jesus’ example of being nothing.
There is only one way that this can be done. By taking attention off of ourselves and placing it solely on the worthy One. Our attention must be placed somewhere. The only question is, where?
It’s only when we place all true value in Jesus alone, knowing that we have nothing to lose, that we are free to truly live.
Jesus’ kingdom economy simply does not conform to a worldly economy.
Let’s focus our attention solely on the worthy One.
Video
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We ask for great power from the Holy Spirit to focus our attention on the worthy One, the slaughtered Lamb. May our attention be on Him and Him alone. This is not possible by human effort – make it be so, by Your Spirit working in us.
As our attention is on the Lamb, empower us to put ourselves last, and others first. May we be great servants this day, and every day, following the example set by the greatest servant of all.
We ask this on the authority of the worthy One, amen.
Author Bio
Author BioSamuel lives with his wife and three young children on New South Wales’ beautiful Mid-Coast. He is fascinated by the impact of worldview and enjoys exploring the links between faith to every area of life. He has a background in the biological and geological sciences, and ministry and theology.
Prayer Points and Purpose for GO 2023 in May
- To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. Heb 12:28–29
- Pray that the Lamb who was slain might receive the reward for His suffering. Rev 5:6–14
- Pray for revival for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Isa 64:1–2
- Pray for revival for Israel and millions to find Christ. Rom 10:1
- Pray for five friends to find Christ and share the gospel with those five in May. Matt 28:18–20
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I think of John on the Isle of Patmos all the time Samuel, so it’s reassuring to see John the man being referenced along with the message of Revelation .
John who remained at the foot of the cross and breathed in the reality of our human condition.
Thank you.
Wonderful devotion. I find the words of Kaylene insprational. “I think of John on the Isle of Patmos all the time Samuel, so it’s reassuring to see John the man being referenced along with the message of Revelation. John who remained at the foot of the cross and breathed in the reality of our human condition.” It would seem John had the profound revelation of the Lamb more than the other Apostles. Who did Jesus entrust his mother too at the cross. John indeed!