Who is Worthy?

The Scroll and the Lamb

5 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. ² And I saw a mighty angelproclaiming 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.”

 

 

I don't know why this is so moving,  and perhaps not all of you find it so,  but I find it extremely affecting.

Why is John weeping and weeping?

Here is the throne,  and 'the one who sits on it' is holding in his right hand,  a scroll.

It's in his right hand for a reason. This is a royal imperative,  and John understands the significance.  Though he doesn't yet know what the scrolls contain,  he feels it's importance keenly.

The weight of importance is leant to it,  in no small part because of the question of the Angel.
Now remember what John has seen so far.  And then consider the fact that this angel invited the description of Mighty.

A mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice.

Not the reassuring 'fear not ' of many of the angelic visitations we are used to.  No.
This is a mighty angel powerfully and loudly proclaiming the question;

Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scrolls?

Spine tingling when you think about it.  We are not used to hearing things from the throne room but if we were we would know that God's word is to be obeyed.

And here this.  No one in heaven or earth,  past or present,  no one was worthy.

I just want to take a moment to reflect on the uniqueness of Jesus.

He and he alone.

There is no one like him.

No one else in history is worthy.  How holy must this imperative from the throne be?

So holy that no one in all heaven and earth is worthy.

Not Abraham.

Not Jacob.

Not Moses.

Not David.

Nor any of the prophets.

Not John the Baptist.

Not Peter.

Not Paul.

Not even Gabriel.

Not even the Angel who asks the question.

Only the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Only the son of man.

Only the Son of God.

Only the Lamb.

Only Jesus.

His is the only name under heaven by which people may be saved.

In no other name is there salvation.

And no one else could have saved you.

And least of all you.

You are not worthy.  Lost and hopeless without him.

But today brother or sister,  you have hope.

Do not weep.  See the Lion of Judah has triumphed.

The seals represent the future and things to come.

But do not fear.  Don't weep with concern over it. Jesus holds the future.  He is worthy.  He has opened the seals.

He has got this.

And now,  we have heard of the triumphant Lion,  the victorious one.

Step forward the Lamb who was slain and lives.

Yes. Jesus step forward.

Today.

Come into focus.
Come into centre stage.
Come into centre page.
And step from stage into the crowd.
Step out of the pages and into our rooms.
Come from the screen into the scene.

Lord Jesus,  this morning take your place in our lives.

You are so,  so worthy,

And we love you,
So, so much.

Amen.