A Revelation Invitation

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, 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!” (Revelation 5:11-12 ESV)

As Israel’s high priest Caiaphas had received authority, but he used that authority to call for the death of Israel’s Messiah. Caiaphas was unworthy of power. As governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate had been given authority to rule, but rather than exercise his authority to free an innocent man, he caved to the hysteria of the mob and ordered him to be executed. Pilate was unworthy of power. As ruler of Galilee, King Herod had been granted authority by Rome. Rather than intervene in Jesus’ unjust treatment, he looked upon Jesus as little more than a curiosity for his own entertainment. Herod was was unworthy of power. Jesus claimed, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18 ESV). How was Jesus different? What made him worthy of power?

During his earthly ministry Jesus exercised his power in many ways. What does it reveal? In Luke 5:17ff we read that “the power of the Lord was with him to heal.” Unlike other rulers who served themselves and exploited others, Jesus used his power to benefit those in greatest need. When a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof before him, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you,” exercising power that no leader or ruler of the people dared claim for himself. It was a controversial claim, but one he back up when he also told the man, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home,” which the man did! A man who uses his power this way is worthy of power.

On another occasion (Luke 4:31ff) as Jesus taught in the synagogue, his audience observed that “his word possessed authority.” The people recognized the authority of his words even before Jesus rebuked an unclean demon who possessed a man. In amazement they said, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” Once again, Jesus used his power to meet a need that no one else could have. He had greater power than Caesar himself, yet used it to benefit this very troubled man.

At his own greatest hour of need, how did Jesus exercise his authority? When he was arrested (Matthew 26:47ff) , he told Peter to put back his sword. “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Even when he could have justified using his power for his own benefit, he refused to. Thank God that he did because this was the moment of our greatest need—the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus’ greatest demonstration of power was in his restraint of it. He had the authority, he had every right (he was being treated unjustly after all) to put an end to his kangaroo court trial and crucifixion. Rather than exercise power, he chose to love enduring the cross, enduring the injustice, submitting to arrogant men who had received their authority from him.

Now we join with the chorus of angels singing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power.”

(Part 2 of the “Worthy Is the Lamb” series is here.)