Pause

Suddenly, Jesus is there.

After his death, after his resurrection, Jesus shows up again for his followers. And each time it is a stunning experience for them.

Things haven't changed. When Jesus appears in our lives it still takes us by surprise. It could happen any moment, however ready we are – or not.

Listen

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:11-14

Think

One of the distinctive elements throughout John’s Revelation is the slain Lamb who is worthy to receive power. In the usual course of things, a slaughtered lamb conveys to us weakness and vulnerability. But in John’s vision the Lamb receives not only power, but also riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. That’s a mouthful! The Lamb, though weak and vulnerable, has conquered and won our salvation. Christ has defeated sin and death, giving us triumph over all that would harm or destroy us. What is that worth to you?

Whatever enormous value you might imagine – it is still too little! The only possible way we come close to an appropriate value is through our worship. It is coming together with songs and prayer and hearing Scripture that we begin to scratch the surface of what it means to offer Christ the honor, glory, and blessing he deserves. Worship reminds us that God is the focus of our lives. When we glorify God, we are empowered to go out into the world to love and serve as Christ has loved and served us.

Tammy Wiens-Sorge

Pray

Mighty and precious Savior, give me a heart of worship so that I might know what it is to give you riches, wisdom, honor, glory, and blessing. Fill me with love for you so that, by your Spirit, I might be a blessing to others. Amen.

Go

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love....

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:8, 10-12