The flowers brighten up the room and his wife’s face when she turns to see him extending them to her. Vibrant colors glow like a bundled, blossoming neon sign and she takes them, her heart melting. “Thank you, honey; you didn’t have to get me flowers.”
He mumbles, “Well, I’m your husband. I’m supposed to buy you flowers. And besides, they were on sale so they were cheap.” Do you think she still wants those flowers? Because it’s not really about the flowers; she wants his heart, his love, his attention and affection. She wants to be beautiful to him like those flowers.
Do you ever worship Jesus because you’re supposed to? It’s your duty. You had to do it when you were a kid and so your kids have to do it now, too, and you drag them to church because you’re supposed to. Do you ever give Jesus stuff because it’s cheap or convenient—but if it’s too expensive or too demanding it’s just not worth it. Do you think he really wants to be no different for you than a trip to the dentist or dry cleaners? Do you think he wants to be the eater of your leftovers? Jesus wants your heart, your love, your attention and affection. Jesus wants to be beautiful to you.
So how beautiful is Jesus to you? How worthy of your affection and love?
The angels praise and cheer, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise” (Revelation 5:12). The angels want to worship the Lamb of God because he deserves it and because they love it. So tell me this, if angels—holy, heavenly spirit beings way more awesome than all the Avengers—want to worship the Lamb of God, don’t you? So worship him with all your power and your wealth and your wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!
He is worthy!
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, angels are awesome. So holy, heavenly and powerful. If they worship you as worthy, as beautiful, as the Son of God, then I should worship you, too. And even more! Jesus, I believe that you are worthy! Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: I talked more about this on Sunday when I preached on Revelation 5. You can find it here: https://crosslifepf.org/messages/the-lamb-of-god/