Project 119: Revelation 5
| Project 119 | Mary Splawn
The Lion and the Lamb
The Christmas story is full of paradox. Think about it: the all-powerful God came in the form of a humble child. The Deliverer was Himself delivered. The King was born to a commoner. His palace was a barn. As the song reminds us, He had no crib for a bed—just a feeding trough and some swaddling clothes. And though many had awaited His arrival, few actually noticed when the Messiah was born.
Jesus’ ministry seems paradoxical, as well—power mingled with humility. He turned over tables in the Temple, and He took children on His lap to bless them. He spoke to the sea and it listened, He commanded demons to leave by His voice, and yet He stood silent when condemned to die. He came not to be served but to serve, and through His one life He ransomed many. It is a beautiful mystery.
In the same way, Revelation 5 reveals the paradox of our Savior. He is seen in John’s vision as both the Lion and the Lamb. Strength and vulnerability are mingled in the beautiful Lord. We see Jesus as the Lion of Judah Who is the conquering King and as the Lamb Who was slain for the sins of the world.
He is both the Lion and the Lamb, and that is good news this Christmas! Take time to read Revelation 5 again. Allow the language of the elders, angels, and creatures to be your prayer.
Thank You, Jesus, that You have the power to overcome the evil one and the humility to overcome in a way that is for our good! You are worthy of worship, for by Your blood You ransomed people of God from every tribe, language, and nation. Yours is power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. May You sit on the throne of my heart today. Amen.
Revelation 5 (ESV):
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“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, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.