The Worthy Redeemer

Why is Jesus worthy?
How do I know that true worship has occurred?

Imagine! Among the multiplied billions of humans who have ever lived, now live or ever will live, no one will be found worthy anywhere to open this book. No one, that is, but Jesus. The Lamb! The Lamb is worthy. No one will challenge Him. No one will mock Him.

Why is the Lamb worthy? The short answer: because He was slain. Want a little more detail? "For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." The Lamb, unmatched and unrivaled, is worthy!

This is still in the future, a scene yet waiting to unfold itself. And the Lamb was slain over 1900 years ago. Such a terrible way to die, and under such awful circumstances. What a long time to wait! Millions still mock Him. But He patiently waits. Someday His final triumph and vindication will be clear before all. And all will accept it and bow before Him. Because the Lamb is worthy "to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (Revelation 5:12).

I said this is still in the future. And it is as I write at 3:36 pm on August 8, 1996. But you might never get to read these words. The Lamb might open the book before then! Praise the Lord! I'd rather be with you worshipping the Lamb Who is worthy, than have you reading about it. My challenge to you now (in case you do read this) is to worship the Lamb now, because He is already worthy!

Worship. How do I know it has happened? My environment: hushed or hyped? My feelings: awed or exuberant? My physical attitude: prostrate or leaping? My heart rate: plodding or pounding? Do I go by any of these?

On the eve of Israel's triumphal exit from their captivity in Egypt, Moses passed on to them some detailed instructions from their Liberator. As the Israelites assimilated the message, the euphoria surely began to climb. The day of their deliverance was finally at hand! God was going to deal a death blow to Egypt, and His people would be spared. Thrilling! Exodus 12:27 shows us that at the conclusion of this message, "the people bowed the head and worshipped."

Then what happened? Next verse: "And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they." Can it be that there is an unbreakable bond between worship and obedience? I think so. Worship without obedience is mockery. Worship without obedience is stillborn.

We know that we have worshipped Him in spirit and in truth when we leave our place and experience of worship to do as He commands. The ultimate proof of worship is not having hearts and emotions "pumped up," but having wills and spirits pumping out cheerful, loving, willing obedience.

The Lord inspired David to write the whole concept so simply: "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2).

May the Lord perfect in us His holiness through our obedience and worship. The Lamb is Worthy, and we have The Book. Why delay further?!

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