And I saw, in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that have already been sent into all the earth. And He came and took it from the right side of the One sitting on the throne. Rev. 5:6, 7.
One of the highlights of a cold Michigan winter is the arrival of a case of sweet juicy navel oranges. Several local schools bring in shipments as fund-raisers. When I carry the box home, I can't resist sliding the cover off and gazing on the orange-colored beauties. I take a sniff or two and sometimes even head straight for the kitchen to cut one up. The feel of orange juice squirting inside my mouth is almost as good as the flavor (don't you want one right now?).
But oranges have more than just the flavor and the texture. If we are to believe double Nobel prize-winning chemist Linus Pauling, a megadosage of vitamin C abundant in oranges would help prevent colds. While his theory has never gained wide acceptance, an integral part of North American culture is the belief that vitamin C can help fight colds.
When winter comes to the Northern Hemisphere, our body systems are more vulnerable to colds. At just the time when our systems need a boost, God has an abundance of vitamin C growing on citrus trees in the warmer climates. It is so like God to anticipate the needs of His children and provide resources in advance to keep them healthy and strong.
Today's chapter describes the greatest of the resources God has made available. "While we were yet sinners" (Rom. 5:8), He has already provided a Lamb to remedy the crisis of sin in our lives. But even before the Lamb was slain on the cross, He had become worthy. The Lamb is one of the many symbols of the humanness of Jesus.
Since divinity cannot die, humanness was a prerequisite for opening the scroll. The Creator had to become a creature. Because the Lamb was human, He could also die to redeem the human race. But He needed a further qualification: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praised and honor and glory and power...!" (Rev. 5:13, NIV).
Jesus is worthy not only because He is human and He died, but also because He is divine. This combination of qualities makes Him unique in all of history. As God did with oranges, He carefully arranged the remedy for our greatest need long before we needed it. That's what makes the Lamb so special in the book of Revelation.
Lord, I am in awe as I realize all that Jesus went through in order to redeem me. I will praise Him today with all of my heart.
One of the highlights of a cold Michigan winter is the arrival of a case of sweet juicy navel oranges. Several local schools bring in shipments as fund-raisers. When I carry the box home, I can't resist sliding the cover off and gazing on the orange-colored beauties. I take a sniff or two and sometimes even head straight for the kitchen to cut one up. The feel of orange juice squirting inside my mouth is almost as good as the flavor (don't you want one right now?).
But oranges have more than just the flavor and the texture. If we are to believe double Nobel prize-winning chemist Linus Pauling, a megadosage of vitamin C abundant in oranges would help prevent colds. While his theory has never gained wide acceptance, an integral part of North American culture is the belief that vitamin C can help fight colds.
When winter comes to the Northern Hemisphere, our body systems are more vulnerable to colds. At just the time when our systems need a boost, God has an abundance of vitamin C growing on citrus trees in the warmer climates. It is so like God to anticipate the needs of His children and provide resources in advance to keep them healthy and strong.
Today's chapter describes the greatest of the resources God has made available. "While we were yet sinners" (Rom. 5:8), He has already provided a Lamb to remedy the crisis of sin in our lives. But even before the Lamb was slain on the cross, He had become worthy. The Lamb is one of the many symbols of the humanness of Jesus.
Since divinity cannot die, humanness was a prerequisite for opening the scroll. The Creator had to become a creature. Because the Lamb was human, He could also die to redeem the human race. But He needed a further qualification: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praised and honor and glory and power...!" (Rev. 5:13, NIV).
Jesus is worthy not only because He is human and He died, but also because He is divine. This combination of qualities makes Him unique in all of history. As God did with oranges, He carefully arranged the remedy for our greatest need long before we needed it. That's what makes the Lamb so special in the book of Revelation.
Lord, I am in awe as I realize all that Jesus went through in order to redeem me. I will praise Him today with all of my heart.
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