Facing the Lamb - You Are Worthy of It All

Last night I was sitting in a pew of my church. Before the musicians could get past the second line of the first song, I was struck by a deep sense of joy that moved me to tears. All because of one word, “elders.” Why “elders”?

When Jesus was on trial, he stood before the Sanhedrin, the council of seventy elders and priests. Those elders and priests were all facing him in that courtroom, sure that they knew God’s plans, and sure that Jesus didn’t fit those plans. They looked at him with judgement. “Our way is the right way to honor God, and you don’t follow it. You are offensive to us and to God. Therefore, you are not even worthy to be alive. You deserve death.”

But the Book of Revelation paints a different picture of elders and priests gathered around Jesus. They aren’t judging. They have a different response to Jesus. Instead of standing to accuse Him, these elders fall down humbly before the Lamb who was slain by the first Sanhedrin of elders. They acknowledge that He followed God’s plan and deserves glory. These elders fall down in worship, taking off their crowns. They give up all pretense of power, and act as priests holding harps and incense and prayers. This is the new Sanhedrin, described in this song by David Brymer and Ryan Hall:

All the saints and angels bow before the throne,

All the elders cast their crowns before the Lamb of God and sing

You are worthy of it all, You are worthy of it all,

For from You are all things and to You are all things,

You deserve the glory.

Did you notice the difference? For these elders, it’s not about them at all. It’s not about their power, their accusations, their schemes, their tricks to trap Jesus. It’s not even about their assurance that they know God’s ways better and their desire to make sure things go right. It’s about the Lamb. As so many Scriptures attest, through Jesus all things were made, and for Jesus all things were made. Not just some things. All things. All things flow from Him and all things flow back to Him. And these elders acknowledge that. Nothing flows from the elders in the new Sanhedrin, except praise and adoration and song. “You are worthy of it all.”

And sitting in a church pew thinking about these things, I felt such joy for Jesus, that His Father God rewarded Him for enduring that bitter unfair trial in Jerusalem, and now surrounds Him with a new Sanhedrin that honors Him as He deserves. What a beautiful contrast!

Only one problem. When I think about God, I often resemble that first Sanhedrin, sure that I know what is best, and sure that God better do things my way. Not that I say that out loud, but that is often the reality of what is in my heart. I don’t want to ask God what I should do, because He might be like Jesus and upset my understanding of what is right. And that might force me to change and give up some things that are really important to me. It’s much better to think hard about things myself, come up with something I’m sure is fitting with what God wants, and do that. I’m like those elders long ago in Jerusalem, who were so sure they knew what God wanted that they couldn’t tolerate Jesus at all.

And yet if all things come through Jesus and all things are for Jesus, that includes me. I am from Jesus and I and am for Jesus. My life flows from Him and for Him, not from me and for me. I need to constantly remind myself of that fact, and look at Jesus in adoration and worship.

So join me in putting yourself with that heavenly Sanhedrin, letting go of your need to control God. Throw down your crown, and sing to the Lamb what He deserves: “You are worthy of it all. You are worthy of it all. For from You are all things, and to You are all things. You deserve the glory.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLq_Wc81GCE

FOR MEDIATION….

Colossians 1:12-16 – “The Father’s beloved Son... is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;  for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

Luke 22:66 - “When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led [Jesus into] their council [Sanhedrin].”

Matthew 26:57-67 - Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Ca′iaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.  Now the chief priests and the whole council [Sanhedrin] sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death,  but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”  Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  Then the high priest tore his robes, and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.  What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.”  Then they spat in his face, and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Revelation Chapter 4

² At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God, 

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things, 

and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation Chapter 5

⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. ⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased for God persons

from every tribe and language and people and nation.

¹⁰ You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, 

and they will reign on the earth.”

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth

and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb 

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.