They Sang Worthy Is The Lamb!

“And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10 NIV

“In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:12 NIV

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 NIV

Today I am walking in the pre-dawn garden. All is quiet. The birds are still sleeping so there is no singing. I sit on the bench and I wait. I wait for the sunrise. I wait for the song of the birds. It is Easter morning and the Lamb that was slain has risen. Hallelujah! He is risen indeed!

The pain and suffering is over. The price for sin has been paid. The Father has been appeased for the sin of man. The Son has glorified the Father. Jesus Christ has conquered death and has risen. Hallelujah! He is risen indeed!

This calls for praise and worship! This calls for thanksgiving! This calls for joy! We the hopeless now have hope! I hope that you are singing this morning because I know I am. I am sure that there is singing and rejoicing in heaven as well.

In the last book of the Bible we read about all of heaven’s response to Jesus Christ!
This response is not a pathetic ticker tape parade of human invention. No, John’s vision is an amazing glimpse into heaven. John reports that in his vision he sees all of heaven bowing down in praise and worship to Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb of God. They have sung before but NOW they sing a new song! A song that has never been sung before!

In the book of Revelation Chapter 5, John records what he sees in his heavenly vision. He sees four living creatures and the twenty-four elders and they sing a new song. (vs. 9) Then he hears the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand…and in a loud voice they sing. (vs. 12) John then heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing. (vs. 13) Then the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.” (vs. 14) They sing because Jesus was obedient to the Father, even unto death. They sing because he conquered the grave. They sing because no one was found worthy to open the scroll with the exception of the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed!

I hope you are singing with all of heaven this wonderful Easter morning! We who love him rejoice. We too can join with all of heaven and sing praise and worship to our Savior Jesus Christ. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. He is risen. Hallelujah! He is risen indeed!

Questions:

Are you rejoicing because Jesus is your risen Savior?
Are you going to be in heaven because of accepting the blood of Jesus as a covering for you personal sin?
If not, would you like to be forgiven from your sin? If so, pray the simple prayer of faith that is printed below.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I want to be included with those who sing a new song of praise and worship. Please forgive me of my sin. Thank you for being my sacrificial Lamb. I now know that you were wounded for me. You paid the price for my redemption by taking my place on the cross. I realize that I am not worthy, you alone are worthy. I ask you now to cover me with your precious blood. I reach out in a simple act of faith and accept your free gift of salvation on this glorious Easter day! I thank you because I am now your child. I no longer fear standing before you because I know that now you will recognize me as your child because I am covered with your precious blood. It is a miracle of love and grace that God no longer sees my sin, but instead he sees only your blood that has been miraculously applied to my heart. Thank you Jesus.

It is in your name I pray. Amen

Washing Feet

“Having loved his own who were in the world,
he now showed them the full extent of his love.”

John 13:1b NIV

“…so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciple’s feet,

drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

John 13:4-5 NIV

Have you ever had a pedicure? How good does that feel? I’ll tell you how good it feels, it feels wonderful! Do you have anyone who will rub your feet? I hope you do because that feels wonderful as well!

I have always been captivated by the Biblical account of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. In the book of John we read that during the meal, Jesus got up to wash the feet of Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas, his soon to be betrayer. Then he returned to the Passover meal.

Those whose feet Jesus washed were not faceless, nameless people. They were his friends. These men were also the men on his team. Yet there was one of the twelve who was not really his friend. He appeared to be a teammate, but he was not. He was a betrayer. His name was Judas. Judas left during the meal and went out into the darkness of night to betray the one who loved him. I wonder how Judas felt as Jesus washed his feet. Had Satan convinced him that Jesus, the all knowing God, did not know what he was about to do?

Dusty, dirty feet were usually washed by a servant upon entering a house. However, it appears that Jesus was the one who washed the feet of his friends during the meal. Was this a second washing? If so, did this second washing signify that he came to earth to be a servant. Perhaps it signified our need to be born a second time by the washing of the blood?

Peter resisted the washing. “No, said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then Lord," Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” John 13:8-9 NIV

It is easy to understand Peter’s reluctance. After all, Jesus was their leader, not to mention he was the Son of God. Maybe Peter was remembering Jesus teaching them that he and the Father were one. Peter did not feel worthy of this demonstration of love poured out on him by his creator.

Often during Holy Week we focus on the pain and suffering that Jesus experienced on the cross. I think it is also good to focus on the love that brought Jesus to the obedience of the cross. First was his love for his Father. Second was his love for mankind. Jesus washed feet to demonstrate his love for mankind. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” John 13:1b NIV

The last time I was at the beach I was walking along the shore. I had my shoes off and was enjoying the waves washing over my feet. I was moved to tears to think that Jesus was still washing feet and on this very special day he was washing mine! With every cool, refreshing, tender splash I felt his love.

Oh friend, God is not a far away God. No, God is so close to us we can even feel him washing our feet. Look around and see that he touches your life in a million ways. Don’t miss his touch. Look for it. Reach out and embrace the long arm of God. Enjoy his tender care, be refreshed by his love, and celebrate his blessings that are found on the canvas of all of nature. It is our heartfelt gratitude for the touch of Jesus on our life that produces heavenly joy within us!

Questions:

Has there been a time that God has touched you through his creation?
Do you see that his gifts of love never stop?
Are you thankful for the ultimate gift of his salvation?
How do you feel knowing that Jesus is able to wash your heart and your feet?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

This week I want to thank you for your incredible sacrifice. Your love for me is more than I can comprehend. It is higher than the heavens and deeper than the ocean. It was demonstrated on the cross and now you continue to demonstrate it every day over and over again. This knowledge is too wonderful for me! You have promised in your Word that you are preparing a place for me and that you will come again and take me home to live with you forever. Jesus, I thank you for your many gifts that surround me every day. Today I am especially thankful for that very special day at the beach when you took time to lovingly wash my feet. I now have another reason to return to the beach. I am looking forward to my next foot washing!

In your name I pray. Amen.