Revelation 5:2-5 (NKJV) Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

Thy Matchless King: Is He Worthy? He Is

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the spring concert of Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, presented by Director John Reim. I was looking forward to the concert because it is an opportunity to hear the powerful Word of God presented and proclaimed in song. Music is indeed a gift of God, whatever form it takes, but few things have a way of piercing the heart like the Word of God presented in song:

 

 

(Is He Worthy? Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive. Arr. Heather Sorenson.)

 

When I look in the mirror, I see a sinner. The thoughts of my heart bear witness. My daily sins confirm it. My own conscience knows it and says so because of the law written in my heart. There is no escaping it. I am not worthy to stand before God. I deserve to be condemned and cast into hell, forever apart from the presence of my Creator God.

 

I am not worthy. It was near the end of the concert that soloist Mark Brown-Kempenaar and the mass choir lifted up my heart and comforted me once again. The soloist asked the important questions and the choir answered. While I am unworthy, my Jesus is worthy. He lived in faultless love to God. He offered up the once for all sacrifice. He arose from death to confirm that atonement has been made and accepted as payment in full. I can stand unashamed because the perfect righteousness of Jesus has been credited to me.

 

I am unworthy, but I am accepted by God because of Jesus. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing . . . Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Amen!