The Worthiness of the Lamb

The Paradox of Power and Sacrifice

In human history, worthiness is often measured by power, wealth, and status. Rulers are considered worthy based on their ability to conquer, lead, and command respect. Success is often equated with material wealth, influence, and dominance. The world honors those who rise to the top, often at the expense of others.

But God’s kingdom turns this upside down. In Revelation 5, Jesus is declared worthy, not because He amassed great earthly riches or ruled with an iron fist, but because He was slain (Revelation 5:12). His worthiness is rooted in His humility, obedience, and sacrificial love.

This is the great paradox of the Christian faith—true power comes through surrender, true greatness through servanthood, and true victory through sacrifice. Jesus reigns as the Lion because He first submitted as the Lamb.

I. The Slain Lamb: Power in Weakness

At the center of heaven’s throne is a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain (Revelation 5:6). This is a shocking image. We expect a lion, a mighty warrior, but instead, we see a sacrificial Lamb.

The Apostle Paul explains this paradox in 1 Corinthians 1:25:

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

The world seeks power through violence, conquest, and self-promotion. But Jesus’ power is revealed in self-giving love. His greatest victory was not on a battlefield, but on a cross. His throne was not made of gold, but a wooden cross stained with blood.

The early church understood this paradox. They were persecuted, weak, and despised, yet they worshiped a King who had conquered not by killing His enemies, but by dying for them. His power was not in crushing others but in redeeming them.

This is what makes Jesus worthy. He is not just a king who rules; He is a king who serves, suffers, and sacrifices Himself for His people.

II. The Lamb’s Seven Great Possessions

William Barclay, in his commentary, explains that the song of the living creatures and elders in Revelation 5 focuses on Christ’s work in His death, but the song of the angels speaks of His possessions in His glory. The Risen Lord possesses seven great attributes, and each reveals something profound about His divine nature and mission.

1. Power – “Christ the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Jesus is not a powerless savior. He is the source of all strength, the One who holds authority over heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). Unlike human rulers who use power for personal gain, Jesus’ power is used to save, restore, and bring justice.

We can say triumphantly of Him:

“He is able.”

• He is able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).

• He is able to strengthen us (2 Timothy 1:12).

• He is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24).

Because Jesus possesses all power, we can trust Him completely.

2. Riches – “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Paul speaks of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). True wealth is not measured in gold but in the grace of God.

Jesus left the riches of heaven to redeem us. His riches are:

• Spiritual – He gives us peace, righteousness, and eternal life.

• Redemptive – He purchased us with His own blood (1 Peter 1:18-19).

• Abundant – His grace is limitless, overflowing, and freely given.

There is no promise Jesus made that He does not have the resources to fulfill.

3. Wisdom – “Christ the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Jesus is wisdom personified. He possesses:

• The wisdom of eternity—knowing the past, present, and future.

• The wisdom of redemption—understanding the depths of human sin and providing the perfect solution.

• The wisdom to guide us—giving us direction in life’s challenges (James 1:5).

Unlike earthly rulers, who make flawed decisions, Jesus’ wisdom is perfect and infallible.

4. Strength – Christ is the strong one who disarms the powers of evil and overthrows Satan (Luke 11:22).

• No force of darkness can stand against Him.

• No sin or addiction is too great for Him to break.

• No circumstance is beyond His ability to handle.

The strength of Christ is displayed most powerfully in His resurrection—the moment when He triumphed over sin, death, and hell itself.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

5. Honor – “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11).

Even those who oppose Christ today will one day acknowledge His lordship.

• Every king, president, and ruler will bow before Him.

• Every atheist, skeptic, and rebel will confess that He is Lord.

• Every created being will acknowledge His supreme worthiness.

Even those who are not Christian often honor Christ, admitting that His teachings alone offer hope to a broken world.

6. Glory – “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The glory of Christ is:

• Revealed in His transfiguration (Matthew 17:2).

• Displayed in His resurrection (Luke 24:26).

• Manifested in His return (Revelation 19:11-16).

To say that Jesus possesses glory is to affirm His divinity. His glory is not just a reflection of God—He is God.

7. Blessing – Christ does not hoard His blessings but shares them with us.

• He blesses the humble (Matthew 5:3-12).

• He blesses those who suffer for righteousness (1 Peter 4:14).

• He blesses His people with eternal life (John 10:10).

The greatest blessing we can receive is the presence of Christ Himself.

III Jesus Does Not Hoard These Attributes—He Uses Them for Us

In the kingdoms of this world, rulers accumulate power, wealth, and honor for themselves. They guard their status and refuse to share their riches. But Jesus is different.

• He does not keep His power to Himself—He empowers His people (Acts 1:8).

• He does not hoard His riches—He gives generously (2 Corinthians 9:8).

• He does not keep His wisdom hidden—He shares it freely (James 1:5).

• He does not demand honor—He humbled Himself to serve (Philippians 2:5-7).

Because Jesus gives all that He has for our sake, the redeemed respond in worship and gratitude.

Reflection Question:

• How does Christ’s example challenge your view of power, wealth, and success?

Conclusion: Jesus Alone is Worthy

The worthiness of Jesus is found not in earthly conquest, but in His sacrifice. The world chases after power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing for selfish gain. But Jesus possesses all these things—and He gives them away.

This is why we sing with the angels:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12)

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Worship as Resistance

Declaring Allegiance to the Lamb

Eugene Peterson, in Reversed Thunder, makes a striking observation about worship:

“The songs of heaven are not sentimental; they are defiant acts of witness. To sing ‘Worthy is the Lamb’ in a world that exalts power and cruelty is to declare allegiance to a different kingdom.”

This insight reframes worship not merely as an expression of devotion but as a form of resistance against the world’s values. Worship is not passive—it is a bold declaration that Christ alone is worthy, even when the world seems ruled by greed, injustice, and violence.

1. Worship Challenges the World’s Power Structures

The world often measures power in terms of control, wealth, and force. Political leaders, corporate executives, and military powers operate under the assumption that strength comes from dominance. But the song of Revelation 5 stands in opposition to these assumptions.

• The Lamb was slain (Revelation 5:12)—His power is rooted in sacrificial love, not coercion.

• He receives all honor and glory (Revelation 5:13)—not through conquest, but through humility.

• He is worshiped by every creature (Revelation 5:13)—His kingdom is not built on oppression but on the redemption of all things.

In a world that glorifies violence and self-promotion, worshiping the Lamb is a radical act of defiance. It declares that Jesus, not the rulers of this age, holds ultimate authority.

Example: The Early Church’s Resistance Through Worship

The early Christians understood worship as resistance. In the Roman Empire, citizens were required to declare, “Caesar is Lord.” Refusing to do so was seen as treason. But the early church boldly proclaimed:

• “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9)—a direct challenge to the empire’s claim to authority.

• The Book of Revelation was written to persecuted Christians who were suffering under Roman rule. John’s vision reminded them that Caesar’s power was temporary, but Christ’s reign is eternal.

To worship Jesus as the slain Lamb was to reject the empire’s demand for loyalty. It was an act of courage that often led to imprisonment or martyrdom.

Reflection Question:

How does worship today challenge the power structures of the world?

2. Worship Resists the Idolatry of Money and Materialism

In a culture obsessed with wealth, worship reminds us that true riches are found in Christ.

William Barclay, in his commentary, highlights the second attribute given to Jesus in Revelation 5:12—riches:

“Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Paul speaks of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). There is no promise that Jesus Christ has made that he does not possess the resources to carry out. There is no claim on him which he cannot satisfy.”

The world tells us that success is measured by accumulation—bigger houses, higher salaries, and more possessions. But worship shifts our perspective:

• Jesus left the riches of heaven to redeem us (Philippians 2:6-8).

• True wealth is found in knowing Him (Ephesians 1:18).

• Our treasure is in heaven, not in earthly possessions (Matthew 6:19-21).

The Worship of Money vs. Worship of the Lamb

Jesus warned in Matthew 6:24:

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

When we worship Christ, we are rejecting the idolatry of money. We are declaring:

• Christ is enough—we don’t need to chase after material wealth for security.

• Giving is greater than hoarding—we are stewards, not owners.

• Eternal riches outweigh earthly treasures—we live for something greater than financial success.

Reflection Question:

How does worship challenge the idol of materialism in your life?

3. Worship Resists the Culture of Fear and Despair

The world is filled with fear:

• Fear of the future

• Fear of suffering

• Fear of loss

• Fear of death

But worship reminds us that Jesus reigns. When we declare, “Worthy is the Lamb”, we are proclaiming:

• Jesus is in control—no matter what happens in the world.

• His victory is secure—even when circumstances seem uncertain.

• Hope is found in Him—not in governments, money, or personal achievements.

Example: Worship in Times of Persecution

During the Protestant Reformation, believers often faced imprisonment or execution for worshiping in their own language rather than following the state-imposed rituals. For them, worship was an act of defiance against religious oppression.

• The Scottish Covenanters sang Psalms as they were led to execution.

• Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church in Nazi Germany refused to bow to Hitler’s ideology, worshiping Christ as the only true King.

• Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned for his faith in Communist Romania, said: “Alone in my cell, I danced for joy because I knew Christ was with me.”

Even today, in countries where Christianity is persecuted, believers gather in underground churches—risking their lives to worship the Lamb.

Reflection Question:

How does worship help you resist fear and trust in Christ’s victory?

4. Worship Resists the Self-Glorification of Man

The world glorifies self. Social media, entertainment, and culture promote:

• Self-promotion—“Build your brand.”

• Self-importance—“You are the center of the universe.”

• Self-reliance—“You don’t need anyone else.”

But worship redirects our focus away from self and onto Christ.

The Contrast: Worship of Self vs. Worship of the Lamb

The world says:

• “Make a name for yourself.”

• “Chase after your dreams at any cost.”

• “You deserve all the glory.”

But worship says:

• “To Him belongs the honor” (Revelation 5:13).

• “Not to us, Lord, but to Your name be the glory” (Psalm 115:1).

• “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

True worship humbles us. It reminds us that we are not the center of the universe—Christ is.

Reflection Question:

How does worship help you resist pride and self-glorification?

Conclusion: Worship is a Revolutionary Act

Worship is not just a spiritual exercise—it is a revolutionary act that:

• Challenges world power—Christ, not earthly rulers, reigns.

• Rejects materialism—our treasure is in Him.

• Defies fear—we trust in His victory.

• Opposes self-glorification—all honor belongs to the Lamb.

This is why Satan fights against worship—because true worship is an act of war against the kingdom of darkness.

Call to Action: Worship as a Daily Resistance

• When you feel overwhelmed by world’s power - worship.

• When you are tempted by wealth—worship.

• When you are afraid—worship.

• When pride creeps in—worship.

Every time we declare, “Worthy is the Lamb”, we are resisting the world’s pull and aligning ourselves with heaven’s song.

 Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all honor and praise. In a world that exalts power, wealth, and pride, help me to worship You with my whole life. Let my worship be an act of resistance against fear, greed, and self-glory. May my heart always declare, ‘Worthy is the Lamb!’ Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria