Observation: In his vision of God's throne room, John sees a document with seven seals, which will unleash God's final plan for the creation. Unfortunately, no one is worthy to open it. No one, that is, except for a slain lamb, who somehow still stands. He has seven horns and seven eyes to represent the "seven spirits of God." Seven is a number of completeness, so this symbolizes the complete power and knowledge of God. The lamb is Jesus. Only the one who sacrificed himself has power to complete God's plan for the universe.
Application: By coincidence, I'm wearing my "Lamb Power" T-Shirt today. They were commissioned by Bob, a dear friend and Advent member who took part in our Revelation Bible study, who was struck by the image of Jesus as the Passover lamb, who triumphs not by killing but by dying. We lost Bob to cancer just about a year ago exactly. His faith in the Lamb was unwavering, even at the end.
It's hard to read this text today and not think of the most recent school shooting in Colorado, where Kendrick Castillo, a high school student with his whole life ahead of him, confronted a shooter and ultimately gave up his life so that other students could escape. Kendrick's love for his neighbor embodied "lamb power" better than anything I can think of. To sacrifice yourself for others, and to do the right thing no matter the cost, is the way of the Lamb Jesus. But it must be said: this sacrifice should not have been necessary. Shootings in schools, workplaces, even places of worship, have become horrifyingly commonplace. It's time to ask the question: How can the adults responsible for our children's future exercise the same "lamb power" on a much, much smaller scale, to stop this happening? What level of comfort, security, perceived freedom, will I sacrifice, in exchange for more children's lives? Am I willing to have an uncomfortable conversation? To offend a few people so that others may reflect and pray? To sacrifice a few minutes and contact my representatives, asking for them to work across the aisle and get this fixed?
Dare I wear a "Lamb Power" T-shirt today, or any day, and not be willing to pay some small price for the sake of others?
Prayer: Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Grant us peace. Help us follow in your way, and give some of ourselves, so that others need not give their lives. Amen.
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