#2 THE WORTHINESS OF JESUS

Welcome back! You might sitting down somewhere nice, and have the gift of time to pause for a few minutes to read this devotional. Or you may be on the tube or a bus, on the go heading into the next meeting or class. Either way, take a breath, and let’s together read Revelation 5:1–14:

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. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 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.”

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honour and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honour and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

It’s an incredible scene. John sees a scroll, but no one is worthy to open it. He begins to weep. Then he’s told that the Lion of Judah has overcome. And when he looks, he sees a Lamb, bearing the marks of being slain.

That Lamb is Jesus. As he takes the scroll, heaven responds in worship. His sacrifice is at the centre of their praise: he gave his life to bring people from every nation into God’s family.

WHAT MAKES JESUS WORTHY?

If you lead worship or serve on a worship or production team, you’ll know how easy it is to measure a Sunday by how it felt. Did people engage? Did the band gel with one another? Did everything flow? Did we choose the right songs?

Those are understandable questions. We care about helping people worship. But Revelation 5 gives us something deeper to build on: Jesus has already given us a reason to praise him. Before we play a note, he is worthy. When the room feels quiet, he is worthy. When we’re distracted, or the song doesn’t land as we hoped, his worth hasn’t changed. That doesn’t mean we stop preparing or paying attention to the people we’re serving. It means we can prepare with our hearts anchored in who we’re worshipping.

And look at how Jesus is revealed here. The one who has overcome is the Lamb who was slain. His victory carries the marks of his love. He gave himself for people who could never earn their way back to God… including us!

It’s possible to sing about the cross so often that we stop letting that sink in.

So today, give yourself a moment to remember what his love has meant in your own life. The forgiveness you’ve received. The welcome you didn’t have to earn. The hope that his resurrection brings. You don’t need to manufacture a big emotional response. You can simply begin with an honest thank you.

The Jesus we’re inviting others to worship is the one who gave himself for us. Let’s make space to remember why we love him.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

When you think about Jesus giving his life for you, what are you especially grateful for?
How might remembering his worthiness change the way you approach your next rehearsal, soundcheck or service?

SOMETHING TO TRY TODAY.

Read Revelation 5:9–12 slowly…

Choose one thing the passage tells you about Jesus. Spend a few minutes thanking him for it in your own words.

Before you move on, finish this sentence: “Jesus, you are worthy of my worship because…”

This can stay between you and him. You don’t need to turn it into something to share on Sunday.

A PRAYER.

Jesus, thank you for giving yourself for us. Help me see the wonder of your love again, especially when familiar words have started to feel routine. As I prepare to lead or serve, keep my heart attentive to you. When I’m distracted by how things are going, remind me of who you are and what you’ve done. You are worthy of my love, my attention and my worship. Amen.