Today’s reading is Revelation 5.
When John looked up to see the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, he didn’t see a lion. Instead, he saw a “Lamb standing, as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6, ESV). How shocking. John had been told he was going to see a conquering lion, instead he saw a sheep that looked like it had been killed by a lion.
Of course, we who are familiar with John’s writings, should already be making connections. Do you recall in John 10, Jesus declared He would lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:11)? Of course, there we don’t see a lamb that was slain, but a Shepherd who sacrifices Himself for the flock.
More subtly, you may recall Jesus was executed during Passover. That automatically brings the picture of a slain lamb to our minds. But more than that, when John recorded Jesus’s death, he explained the Roman soldiers did not break Jesus’s legs and specifically, he said this fulfilled the statement in the Law that “Not one of his bones will be broken” (John 10:36, ESV). However, John did not quote a foretelling of the Messiah’s death. He referred to a law about the Passover Lamb found in Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12. Jesus is our Passover Lamb.
The Passover reminded Israel of their great deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Jesus, as the slain Lamb, provides escape from an even greater bondage. The worshipers in the throne room sing to Him because of His sacrifice:
Worthy are you to take 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, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth…Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!
They worship and praise Jesus, the Lamb who is the Lion. He didn’t conquer by killing, He conquered by dying. And now, not just Jews, but all people may be part of God’s kingdom. That includes us.
Praise the Lord for the Lamb that was slain!
Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 5.
PODCAST!!!
PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Revelation 5 prompt or improve your trust in God?
Read the Bible 