A Revelation Invitation

(The “Worthy Is the Lamb” series begins here.)

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)

In an old episode of the TV series NCIS, an elderly World War II veteran stepped forward to confess to the murder of his best friend and fellow marine almost 60 years past. As the marine’s military record was scrutinized, the investigative team discovered that this marine had also received the Medal of Honor for acts of valor in service to his country during the war. When the authorities came to arrest the old marine, his Medal of Honor slid into view from behind his necktie. As the two young marines were preparing to handcuff the veteran, they saw the medal, snapped to attention and saluted this man they were about to arrest. Now, marines are conditioned to salute a superior officer because of his rank, regardless of the officer’s character. But a serviceman who has been awarded the Medal of Honor received it because of bravery and valor he exhibited on the battlefield. These two marines acknowledged that the man standing before them had exemplified valor and was worthy of honor.

At Jesus’ coronation as king, how was he honored? The soldiers led him inside the palace where they clothed him in purple as a joke contemptuously “honoring” him as king. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and cruelly placed it on his head again derisively “honoring” him as king. They spit in his face anointing him as king. They scornfully saluted him and hailed him as king. They mockingly knelt before him ridiculing his claim to be king of the Jews. Jesus endured this utter humiliation without protest and surrendered to his crucifixion and crowned King of kings.

The chorus of heaven praised Jesus as worthy of honor. He showed valor sacrificing his life to save others. The very indignities the soldiers inflicted on Jesus to dishonor him demonstrated his worthiness of honor for having endured them faithfully and selflessly.

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

(Part 6 of the “Worthy Is the Lamb” series is here.)