One of my sons’ favorite bedtime stories is The Sword in the Stone. As a child, I grew up watching the animated version of this tale, in which a lanky, awkward boy named Arthur unwittingly prepares to become king. Set in twelfth century England, the legend describes a country in turmoil, where the king has died without an heir to take his place. In order to resolve this dilemma, a wizard named Merlin places a sword in an anvil with the following words inscribed upon it: “Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise King born of all England.”
As the story goes, plenty of strong men and mighty warriors attempt to remove the sword, but every one of them fails. That is, until Arthur. This young, scrawny, misfit approaches the sword and is able to pull it from the anvil, finally restoring order to the kingdom.
The legend of Arthur is only a myth, but it echoes a story that is not. In chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation, we encounter a similar scene, but in place of a sword we have a scroll (5:1). We don’t know what exactly is inside the scroll, but New Testament scholar N.T. Wright speculates: “We rightly guess… that it contains God’s secret plan to undo and overthrow the world-destroying projects that have already gained so much ground, and to plant and nurture instead the world-rescuing project which will get creation itself back on track in the right direction.”
Much like the sword in the stone, what is significant about the scroll is not simply what is inside of it, but Who is able to unseal it. Like the sword, there is only one who is worthy to unleash its power. That chosen one, we soon discover, is Jesus—the “Lamb,” the “Root of David,” the “Lion from the tribe of Judah” (5:6,5). Christ alone can initiate God’s plan to rescue and redeem the world.
That is how the two stories are similar. This is how they differ:
In The Sword and the Stone, Arthur does nothing to earn the title of king. Although legend holds that he was secretly a royal heir, Arthur’s worthiness (much like Abraham, Moses, and David) comes solely from the fact that he is chosen for the task. He does not earn it, and he does not deserve it.
Christ, on the other hand, is a different kind of hero. He is not simply plucked from thin air. Instead, the Lamb is worthy for two important reasons. First, He is worthy to redeem the brokenness of the world because He is the only one who did not contribute to it. And second, He is worthy to rescue humanity because He purchased us by His blood (5:9).
Unlike most of our favorite heroes, Jesus was not chosen in spite of Himself. Even our greatest heroes, our noblest heroes, our most perfect heroes are still only a shadow of the Hero we have in Christ. By virtue of His identity and by the power of His blood, He alone is able to open the scroll and initiate God’s plan to redeem the world.
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65 thoughts on "The Lamb Is Worthy"
From the moment Adam and Eve sinned, God had a plan and the hero of the story would be Jesus. At the cross he paid the price for us, to save us and redeem us. By his actions he glorified the father. Jesus— the ONLY hero we need. Thank you, Father, for your amazing love and grace.
Revelations intrigues me, the thought of the creatures and the way Christ is described is so powerful.
The Lord always reveals something new as we re read scripture❤️
Wow, our God is so powerful and so big, there are so many things that fall outside of our imagination by these descriptions. All I know is God is unlike anything we know here on earth and that’s comforting.
Yes! It intrigued me but was also intimidating. I’ve heard people describe angels with many eyes and wings but I haven’t read anything that came close to that until now. So it got me thinking if this is what they were basing it off of.
Anyone else a little intimidated by the 4 creatures? It has me really curious what the rest of heaven will look like. I have a feeling we just have a taste of how creative our God really is!
John also felt fear and so the Lord placed his right hand upon him and told him to not be afraid of what is being revealed. He then reminds John who He is (the Living One) and that He alone holds the keys to death an hell (Rev. 1:17 & 18).
Yes Lord!
I have ordered a few they do have all the scripture and places to take notes and some neat cards you can cut out that have memory verses but they do not have their writers commentary and stories portion (the second screen of the app), at least not in the ones I ordered. i much prefer the app myself but it can be nice at times to write in each book my own thoughts on specific verses, I can’t always fit it all in the margins of my Bible. But you can easily do that in a journal too..
The She Reads Truth bible just has a few key devotional per book. It’s still great though!
Does anyone know if all of the devotional compositions are included in the She Reads Truth Bible? Thank you!
Thank you Jesus for the blood you shed for me!
He loves us so much!!! We can’t understand it. He is looking to redeem us! Even when it seems crazy he is still working
I love all of this!!! ❤
In this Lenten season may we continually reflect on our unworthiness and sinful nature so that we humble ourselves before the throne of God and the Lamb who was slain for us. Worthy is the Lamb!
While reading this “Revelation Song” played in my mind.
I am intrigued by the notion that the scroll contained God’s secret plans to set creation right again. I’d like to know more about that.
The beauty, majesty, power and might of The One that is Worthy fills me with awe as I try to visualize Him in all His Glory. I think it is difficult for our finite minds to grasp how big our God is as we try to fit Him into something or someone we can identify. He is bigger, greater and so much more than we can imagine.
When I read revelations I imagine myself standing there experiencing all these sights and honestly the first thing I feel is fear. This is my first time reading this book of the Bible and it is giving me a new healthy fear of God in all his power. I constantly seek control and take pride in my own actions, and am realizing how truly minuscule my control is in comparison to the creator of everything. This study is very humbling and I’m thankful for it.
I love the imagery of Jesus on his throne. He is glorious in all his splendor. What a sight that must have been!
Chris Timmons new song is all about this. He is worthy.
This is probably a dumb question, but what are the seven spirts of God?
I have the same question!
The descriptions of heaven in this reading are so amazing from both Revelation and Ezekiel. No wonder both Ezekiel and John fell face down in worship. I can imagine I would do the same thing. I think about how much awe and wonder the things of this world stir up in me, and then to be face to face with the one who created all of this, in all of his splendor and glory…wow! I think of the song “I can only imagine.” Someday I won’t have to imagine but I will get to experience the beauty, glory, splendor for myself and fall on my face in worship of the only one who deserves it all.
Today Lord Jesus
I bow
before the terror of your purity
your holiness,
righteous, God and King.
My heart weeps with gratitude
for I am yours.
One day, Savior and Lord
Prostrate in your presence I will fall
Consumed. Yes.
Whole.
Refined,
and I will weep tears of worshipful joy
In the presence of the only One.
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty.
Worthy.
Selah
My youngest daughter sings a song at preschool that says “Jesus your my superhero”… yes, he is our superhero… better than all the rest…. dying for our sins, paving the way to Heaven.
Thank you Lord for always seeking me out.
Amen!
Love this! God keeps coming towards us even when we reject Him or hide from Him.
Praise God I’ve joined this group. Yes, he is worthy and I’m grateful that he was willing to be our sacrifice.
Does anyone ever just have a rough day, rough moment, rough argument that just puts you into such a negative head space? Gosh I know I do. But once I turn my focus on my love for Jesus and put my faith and trust in him that he will provide, I am a completely different person. Thank you Jesus for always loving me and always being worthy!!
Throughout the Revelation readings we are shown how worthy beyond words our Father is and how worthy beyond words our Savior is. Yet, in Ezekiel, I continued reading further into it and the Father says to Ezekiel, in all His magnificent glory, “‘Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.’” (Ezekiel 2:1) to see how glorious He is and then to ask His servant, a sinner like me, to stand before Him, that is so astonishing to me. A Father who is so humble to speak to His lowly servant and to ask him to stand in His glorious presence. To me, this reveals so much of God’s character in such a simple way. A beautiful way. Thank You Lord for your goodness to us!!
Thank you for bringing this out! I will read the rest of the Ezekiel chapter!
It reminds me of these lyrics- “Come to the altar, the fathers arms are open wide, forgiveness was born with the precious blood of Jesus Christ…” -Elevation Worship. These words and these verses bring tears to my eyes, I will never not be stunned by the incredible sacrifice Jesus made. The Lord has saved us all and we are so unworthy. There is no thanks we can give besides to fearlessly follow the lamb who set a perfect path of righteousness for us.
❤️❤️
I am reading “In His Image” by Jen Wilkins. The first chapter is called God Most Holy. In it she quotes RC Sproul who said “ Only once is a characteristic of God mentioned three times in succession. The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that he is merely holy, or even holy holy. He is holy, holy, holy”. Jen goes on to explain how this attribute impacts the other attributes. He is holy, holy, holy. When we apprehend his holiness, we are changed.
As I read the scripture this morning I was overwhelmed by His Holiness. Grateful and humbled by His sacrifice for us. The words in these passages leave me a bit breathless today.
Very cool thank you
Singing “Is He Worthy?” By Andrew Peterson this morning. Look it up! I love when songs use scripture so directly it helps me memorize the verses and repeat them throughout the day!
“Is anyone worthy?
Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this?
He is”
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing this with us!!
LOVE this song.
Same!!
Love Andrew Peterson!
That verse hit me the same way!
Reminds me of the song “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson:
https://youtu.be/OIahc83Kvp4
He is worthy! Amen!
I feel like I constantly ask myself “why me Lord? Why do you chose to love me and the rest of humanity, especially those who hate you?” I am so overwhelmed by Gods grace and unconditional love for not only humanity but for me. God thank you for choosing to love me despite all my flaws. Thank you for sending Jesus the perfect lamb slain to rescue me. I am forever in awe of you and your kindness.
Revelation 5:10 “You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth”. What a BEAUTIFUL and COMFORTING promise. Thank you Father God. ❤️
The idea that we will see clearly our unworthiness but hold with it He who is worthy. That’s such a comfort.
Our culture has it wrong. For all their effort and loud discourse, church and state cannot be separated. God rules over all. He alone is sovereign. It matters not that so many dismiss the idea that He exists. It matters not that the world marginalizes and ridicules those who believe in Him and His Word. He will have the final say. He will open the scroll in heaven and all will be set right upon the earth. It will not go well for those who so arrogantly set themselves up as the arbiters of truth. Daily for them I weep. Jesus is the Truth. There is no other. It matters but if voices banter about “my” truth or “your” truth. There is one Truth and He is Jesus. We have the living Word in our hands and it tells us the Way for each of us to walk through the open door into heaven. Yet there will be many who will continue to shake their fists in His face – to their great peril. Fists are shaking now, in our streets, in our courts, in our homes. We weep. And we continue to speak the ever unpopular Truth because only Jesus saves. Hell is real and it is awful. Heaven is real and it is glorious. Oh sisters, let us press on and pray for revival while there is yet time.
Amen!
AMEN!
Gloriously true
Amen. Such wise words. Thank you.
Hallelujah!
Yes. Prayer is the only thing we can do to get us through to the end. Praise God! That’s what is so necessary and vital in our churches. Pray for your Pastors and Staff leaders. Pray like you were playing the most exciting football game where you had to give it your BEST to win. But not just your best, your ALL to win. Our pastors need your prayers. Can you imagine what they could lead our congregations to do if they were prayed over with such vigor, excitement, and power through the a Holy Spirit. Can you imagine the temptations they face as human men could be averted if you would just pray for them. Set your pastors on fire with your prayers. Satan enjoys destroying the life of pastor’s. He lives to tear your pastor’s families apart or splitting a church in half as a result of a pastor’s sin. So pray for your pastor’s and the churches they lead because the alternative is to see Satan at his best destroying our churches. Do you pray for your pastor’s?
AMEN!!
A powerful word, amen!
Amen.
In chapter 5 verse 4 after John realizes that no one in heaven or on earth is worthy to open the scroll, he weeps. It’s like, in that moment he feels that all hope is lost, humanity is doomed. But then, & oh how glorious, my Jesus steps forward. HE IS WORTHY. Praise Him!
“Arthur’s worthiness comes solely from the fact that he was chosen for the task.”
Some serious words of comfort and confidence right there…God chooses and decides, we obey.
Lord, may I be confident in the strength you have given me today to accomplish your tasks and your purposes.
Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne,
He was slain – Thank you Lord Jesus for your sacrifice – for even me.
The truth of that and His love for us is overwhelming and humbling. He is so worthy and we are so not.
This made me think of the song “Defender” by Francesca Battistelli. Part of the lyrics says, “All I did was praise. All I did was worship. All I did was bow down. All I did was stay still.”
This is my prayer for today. I pray that my day will be spent in praise and worship even in the midst, especially in the midst of the craziness of the last week of school. I humbly and willingly bow down and acknowledge His worthiness to reign on the throne of my life. Help me to stay still today – to rest in the truth that You alone are worthy and You have got all of this under control.
Love love love that song ❤️❤️
Yes! If Christ is the only one worthy of such things in these passages, then who am I to continue to try and manage and control my day to day world so tightly. He’s worthy of me worshiping and trusting and following. Praying that I too, can spend today in prayer and worship, instead of in a reactionary place seeking control.
Praise be to Jesus, our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the true lover of our souls. He is coming again to end and complete His great redemption plan and undo all of what sin and brokenness have done to His beautiful creation. Come, Lord Jesus, come.