Saturday, December 29, 2007
Revelation 5:8-10 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
REDEEMED BY HIS BLOOD, WE PRAISE THE LAMB
Our last reading for this week comes from the book of Revelation. It is a vision of the Son of God receiving praise in heaven. In heaven this praise will come from the angels, but also, from the men and women who through faith in Jesus have entered into the presence of the Almighty God.
We too shall stand among the faithful before God's throne and will sing a new song to our Savior, a song of praise and thanks. But let's not wait until that day, for the blood of the Lamb has already washed our sins away. Ask yourself: Am I worthy of the blood of the Lamb? Am I worthy of this great gift of sins forgiven? Am I worthy of God's love?
No.
But that is the great mystery of God's love: Christ came anyway. And you have been saved by His love. All blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!
Then may we hope, th' angelic hosts among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song.
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all His glory shall display.
Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven's almighty King.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 84:6)
