The majestic High King of Heaven came in human flesh to be born among livestock. As if to emphasize the connection between Jesus and sheep, God announced the birth of his son to shepherds. Not long after his birth, a flock of sheep surrounded the newborn.
The babe born among the lambs is the Lamb who would be slain.
John the Baptist picked up on this connection. Seeing Jesus coming toward him, he declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29). These words that announce Jesus’ ministry, will echo in eternity.
When the angel gives the apostle John a revelation of the heavenly realm, John witnesses the song of the saints to the glorious lamb.
This Christmas, we join the saints that have come before us in their song of praise to the enthroned Lamb. The story begins with the saints searching for one who can break open the scroll, one who has the unique dignity and sufficient authority to open the seven seals[i] of the contract that God has made with human beings, promising his covenant faithfulness if they are faithful. But none is worthy to open the scroll. “None is righteous” (Rms 3:10). But then it is announced that “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” is able to open the scroll. Why? Because he has proven himself divinely worthy as the slain Lamb who has conquered and is “alive forevermore” (Rev. 1:18)! But instead of a lion appearing, a Lamb appears.[ii] He takes the scroll, the saints rejoice and prostrate themselves in worship at his feet.
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.5 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.”
6 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. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“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,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev. 5:1-14)
We cannot enjoy the full blessings of God because we are unworthy to fulfill the covenant. Only Jesus can do it for us. And in his sovereignty, he did!
In Hebrews, the author reflects that while God gave us the sacrificial system to atone for our sins, the sacrifices of animals could never atone for human sin (Heb. 10:4-10). Only the sacrifice of the Lamb of God can sanctify us.
The Son of God took on flesh and was slain beyond recognition (Isa. 52:14) so that by his death we might have everlasting life. Thus, why we cry “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!” Have you accepted his sacrifice?
The knees of a few bowed before the Lamb of God at his birth. On the final day, all will bow the knee to him and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11).
The one born among the lambs is the One worthy of every song and every heart.
[i] There is normally just one seal on a scroll. Seven symbolizes the finality of this covenant and the difficulty of opening it.
[ii] The Lamb has seven horns (which symbolize great salvific power (see Ps. 18:2)) and seven eyes (which symbolize his omniscience (see Zech. 4:10)).
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