Ultimate Comfort
| And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne... (Revelation5:2-6) |
In this scene there is a scroll that must be opened. The scroll represents the suffering and heartache that is part and parcel of our broken world. When the seals of the scroll are opened we see the horsemen of conquest, conflict, famine and death. We see earthquakes and we hear the cry of the martyrs ("how long?") The scroll represents the enormity and struggle of death, injustice, pain and heartache.
The angel's question is haunting: "Who is worthy to open this scroll?" Who is big enough to carry the pain that the scroll represents? Who can overcome the pain of this world? Who can hold it in their hands?
For a moment it looks as though no-one can hold the pain of the world and this fills John with heartache and despair. The simplicy of the text brings it across so powerfully: "I wept and wept."
And then comes the incredible news - there is someone who is able to open the scroll and hold its pain.
Who is this incredible person?
It is JESUS:
- The Lion of Judah
- who's the Root of David (having become fully human)
- and He has triumphed!
This is wonderful news! When we're in trouble we know we have a Lion who conquers the pain and brokenness of the world.
But as we get ready to see the Lion, we get our next shock:
The Lion is a slain Lamb.
- He conquers pain by become its victim
- He defeats death by dying
- He not only opens the scroll, but carries its pain.
When we are going through a tough time, this is our incredible Good News: We are not without hope: we know that God's Lion - our Lord Jesus Christ - conquers our pain by becoming the slain Lamb. We are never alone because He has entered our pain and carried it.
So when you are faced with a scroll of suffering and you want to weep and weep, know this: There is a Lion who is also a Lamb who will open the scroll and be with you!
Do I hear an "amen" or a "hallelujah"?
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That brings this series on "Faith in Tough Times" to an end.
As next week is Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the next series will be a Lent series to take us to Easter.
