And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:5–6)

In Revelation 5, John wept openly when he realized no one was worthy to open the scroll and its seals (for more about the scroll, seals and other aspects of Revelation 5, check out the sermon from last Sunday, Oct. 10). But then one of the 24 elders told him he need not weep, because there was someone worthy. This elder first describes the worthy one as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” which is a reference to Jacob’s blessing over his son Judah in Genesis 49:9. Jacob declares that Judah will have the strength of a lion, will conquer his enemies and rule over people. The second part of the elder’s description is “the Root of David,” and this originates from Isaiah 11:1-5 and Jeremiah 23:5-6, and both prophets explain someone will come from David’s line who is a righteous and wise king.

And who is the one who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? John sees him as “a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” This, of course, is Jesus. John the Baptist identified him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Let’s consider this for a moment. Jesus is a mighty ruler and a righteous king. According to the wisdom of this world, someone who gains power typically does so through great physical and mental strength, wealth, popularity and influence. And while Jesus could have easily ruled with these character traits, he chose the path of humility and even self-sacrifice.

In this section of John’s vision, he is the Lamb standing as through it had been slain.” And when the four creatures and elders erupt in worship a few verses later, their song states, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation ...”

Jesus came to his position as mighty conqueror and righteous king through the act of laying down his very own life. He did not seize control of the world through political power or military might and strategy. He sacrificed his life so that others could live, and have life more abundantly.

What does that mean for those of us who follow him? It means we turn away from the world’s way of doing things. We don’t fight for our place in society. We don’t attempt to gain control of the world around us through traditional human means. Instead, we live as Jesus did. We humbly submit ourselves to the will of God, we put others before ourselves and we give our lives so that others may live.

This is what it means to follow our Mighty Conqueror and Righteous King, who also is the Lamb of God.

-Pastor Dan