Is He Worthy?
These are dark days. The threat of the COVID-19 pandemic is growing more and more serious. The infection rate is soaring. Hospitals are being overwhelmed. The death rate is advancing.
Dark clouds of despair and depression hang heavy over our world. And not even the familiar signs of spring can lift our spirits.
For those of us in church leadership, this Easter will be unlike any other in our lives. The anticipation of a joy-filled congregation gathering in large numbers for high celebration has been replaced by cobbled-together online services where pastors will preach to an empty room and a stripped-down worship team will lead no one.
To be sure, though most everything else has been canceled, Easter hasn’t been. The tomb is still empty, and Jesus is still risen. But the enthusiasm that usually generates can’t help but be tempered due to worrisome uncertainty, heavy pressure, and emotional exhaustion.
Even though I’m no longer an active pastor, I can identify with you and I empathize with you. It will be no small challenge to be a conduit of hope and optimism to others when it’s difficult to sustain those emotions yourself.
It will be no small challenge to be a conduit of hope and optimism to others when it’s difficult to sustain those emotions yourself.
This week I was drawn to an amazing song by Andrew Peterson that puts voice to how so many of us are feeling this Easter.
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
The songwriter then moves to the heavenly scene as recorded in Revelation 5 as all of heaven wonders if there is anyone who can open the scroll of God’s redemptive solution.
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
In the biblical text, John the Revelator tells us that when no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll, he wept and wept. It seemed hopeless. Impossible. How would we ever get out of the mess this world is in?
But then one of the elders who worship around the Throne of God day and night said to him, “Don’t weep! See…
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
He is worthy
My brothers and sisters, THIS is the hope we hold on to when all seems dark. THIS is why we keep pressing on. Why we celebrate, scattered though we may be.
Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb who was slain, has TRIUMPHED!
Over sin and death.
Over sickness and suffering.
He is able to keep His people through the trials and troubles we face today, tomorrow, and the years still to come.
Until the day we see Him face to face.
Until the day He makes all things new.
Will this Easter be strange? Yes.
Will our hearts mourn not being able to celebrate together as a faith family? Yes.
Will our worship require sacrifice? Yes.
But…
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is
I invite you to watch this music video. Let the beauty of it wash over you. Allow it to penetrate your soul. And see if it doesn’t give you renewed passion to lead your people.
Is He Worthy?
Andrew Peterson | Ben Shive
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