The Lamb

Reading: Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

Scripture: 6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:6-10 NLT) John saw a once-slain Lamb perform a feat that no one else in heaven, earth, or the underworld could accomplish. This act released an outpouring of worship and honor coming from every corner of the universe. How amazing that a helpless, innocent, defenseless lamb accomplished what even super-powerful angels couldn’t do! Jesus’ victory over sin did not lie in his super-powers or in the force of his personality or will. It was accomplished by humility, submission, and sacrifice. Jesus did not draw on the self-protective resources that heaven made available to him, but submitted to indignity and injustice to defeat sin at its root. If Jesus had left Jerusalem instead of submitting his will to the Father there in the Olive Garden, or if Jesus had used the strength of his personality and wisdom to escape the death sentence, or if Jesus had used heaven’s power to avoid the injustice of the cross, I’d be lost. If the Lion of Judah had not been willing to become the Lamb of God, we would all still be without hope, trapped under the crushing weight of our sin. Prayer:

Father, Thank you for sending your Son to be the Lamb of God who takes away my sin. I want to be a man of faith who accomplishes significant things for you. I also want to submit to every part of your will and plan. Help me to know the times for lion-faith and the times for lamb-submission. Help me to know when to boldly exercise faith and when to simply stand and trust. By your grace. Amen.