“The book and its seals represent all power in heaven and earth given to Christ” – John Wesley.

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Jn. 1:29.

“Lamb” is an appropriate title and identity for the Lord Jesus, and it is what John the Baptist proclaimed when he spoke, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29, 36). John calls us to “behold the Lamb of God.” Whoever looks to Jesus Christ lives by that look and shall live forever. Behold the Lamb!” is a revolutionary declaration, the heart cry of Lent as we witness Jesus drawing near to us in this holy season to sacrifice himself for us on the Cross to take away the sins of the whole world. It is through this title of the “Lamb” that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, which says, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter” (Acts 8:32).

The “Lamb” was used as an offering to sanctify where God would meet with His people (Ex. 29:38-43). In the New Testament, we are told, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes was far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). It is through the blood of the “Lamb” that we are redeemed, (1 Pet. 1:19). It is through the blood of the “Lamb” which we are protected, (Ex. 12:7, 12-13). Paul reassured us that Christ is our Passover Lamb, “sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7).

In all shapes and forms, Jesus Christ was and is the fulfilment of that “Lamb as it had been slain”; hence, the Lenten season calls us to proclaim the Lamb’s act of victory. The home, the world and the church are in despair without any sign of restoration. From the greats of history – many presidents, monarchs, prime ministers, popes, archbishops and bishops have come and gone, yet the political and spiritual situations of the world are getting worse; none of the greats can take responsibility for the earth. No one in heaven, on earth, or under earth is found worthy to rule. The truth is that the restoration of the earth could not come about until a worthy man and woman are found to open the book to take responsibility for cleaning and ruling the earth for God.

Until the time a worthy man and woman are found in the family, church and politics, Satan would continue to reign and sin, and death and war would continue on the earth. The question is, who is worthy? Who has the right to rule the universe, to right all wrongs and to control all things? There is trade war, bombing, epidemics, weeping and suffering all over the world today because it looks like God’s plan for the universe has been dashed. Matthew Van Duyvenbode, Head of Campaigns, Advocacy and Media at Bible Society, said the Bible is more than a book, though it is full of human stories – of love, greed, joy, loss, and passion. According to him, ‘people today are searching for deeper meaning – and within the Bible, we find an enticing picture of hope – one which stimulates, provokes and invites us to become the sign of hope to others.’ Lent offers us a ‘new song’ to comfort the weeping world to ‘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’ (v5).

The Lenten season is, therefore, the revolutionary heart cry, declaring the worthiness of the slaughtered Lamb who has redeemed people around the globe and made them kings and priests. Lent points us to John’s heavenly vision of witnessing the pure worship of the Lamb to people. Apostle John heard a question ring out through heaven, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to lose the seals thereof?” (Rev. 5:2). Is there anyone, anywhere, worthy to disclose what was being held out in the right hand of God? Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God based on his moral attributes and his sacrificial death, was the only one worthy to take the scroll (responsibility) from the right hand of God. John Wesley states, ‘The book and its seals represent all power in heaven and earth given to Christ.’

Lent calls us to witness the unfolding events of salvation in this end time. Who is worthy to rule your life? The Lord Jesus, the Lion of Judah and Lamb of God gave his life so that we might live and redeemed us for God. The Lord Jesus is the one who is worthy to receive the praises of heaven. There is no mistake. The Lion is the Lamb. The Lion Lamb is worthy – why? ‘For you were slain, and by your blood, you ransomed people for God.’ The Lion has conquered because he died as a Lamb – there is no mistaking who this picture shows us. The Lion of Judah’s Lord Jesus died like a lamb led to the slaughter (Is 53:7) upon the Cross. However, His death was not meaningless or purposeless. No, it was through His death – by His blood that he ransomed people (including you and me) for God.

Remember, we were lost. Jesus bought us through his death. He has made us a kingdom and a Priest to God.

Receive him today, tomorrow may be too late.