“Worthy are you to take up the scroll and to open its
seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from
every tribe and language and people and nation.”
What is this scroll? It is the revelation of God’s plan
to bring judgement and salvation on the earth. As the scroll is opened there
are scenes of suffering, sorrow, and God’s ultimate salvation when Jesus
returns to bring his people home.
Did you notice what made Jesus, the Lamb, worthy to open
the scroll to make this message known? It is because he was slain and yet he
lives. Jesus death ransomed people for God. Luther states that we believe that
Jesus has, “redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from
all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver,
but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.”[1]
This is the heart of the matter. Jesus died and rose. “He
is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most
certainly true.”[2]
This salvation leads us to worship Jesus, the crucified
and risen one. Our hearts are turned to him by his loving sacrifice and we join
with all the saints and angels to glorify him.
When you come to worship is your focus on Jesus? Where
else might our worship drift if we are not focused on Jesus?
Lord Jesus, you are
the Lamb who was slain, and, behold, you live! Thank you for giving yourself to
ransom all kinds of people for your Father, including us! Forgive us, Lord, for
focusing elsewhere when we worship. Fix our hearts on you, and fill our hearts,
minds, and mouths with your praises. Amen.
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