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11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:11-14 NRSV)
Dear Friend, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus be with you. I want to thank you for the prayers you all lifted up for my compadre Jesús Muñoz, who is now resting comfortably in ICU after having a successful open heart surgery which removed a huge clot. God certainly heard our prayers and we rejoice! He will be going into rehab after his time in the ICU. May the Lord continue to bless him and his family and you and yours. Why do we pray? Because God answers prayers!
Who in today's world wants to be a lamb? Lambs have a reputation for being easy prey for predators. It was some years ago, a church member borrowed a Middle Eastern lamb for a children's and adult sermon I was doing on lambs. We lived in a parsonage immediately behind the church and it had a fenced backyard and half a lot immediately next to the backyard and it was also fenced. We owned a Doberman Pincher who lived in the backyard and I thought she would respect the lamb if it was in the empty lot. Wrong. The Doberman smelled lunch on this little lamb and wanted to eat right away! I thought the lamb would run away, but as our dog charged the chainlink fence she would run for safety. Wrong again. The lamb butted the fence and our dog. The dog's sharp teeth found the lamb's gums and blood immediately flowed freely and the lamb collapsed and fell to the ground. I immediately thought of the huge lawsuit the church would probably get for the killing of this lamb, in the event it died. I also thought of my friend and Emmaus brother who was a vet who attended First UMC and so I called the church and asked if he was there. He was and he came right over to examine the lamb and all was well. Thank God! I took the lamb into the church and we had a great time using the lamb, no longer bleeding, in the sermon. Jesus is the Lamb of God; the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world, and who died in our place for our sins. This passage speaks of Jesus and His important role then, now, and in the days when we rejoice in our new life in Heaven.
In John’s vision, the heavens erupt in worship. Thousands upon thousands—angels, creatures, elders, and all creation—join together with a thunderous voice: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
At the center of it all stands the Lamb—Jesus, the risen Christ—bearing the marks of sacrifice yet radiating victory. The cross was not a defeat. It was the doorway to ultimate triumph, not through violence, but through self-giving love.
This Easter, we celebrate not only the empty tomb but also the enthronement of the Lamb. He reigns precisely because He gave Himself completely. His worthiness comes not from overpowering force but from sacrificial love.
The challenge before us is clear: If we claim to follow the Lamb, our lives must also reflect His way. Easter is not merely a celebration of what Jesus did for us; it is an invitation to live lives worthy of the Lamb—lives marked by humility, mercy, courage, and costly love.
The Lamb is worthy. Are we willing to follow wherever He leads?
PRAYER: Worthy are You, Lamb of God, who gave Yourself for the life of the world. Teach us to join the song of heaven, not just with our voices but with our lives. Shape us into people who bear witness to Your sacrificial love in all we do. May honor and glory and blessing be Yours, now and forever. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Let your life sing the Lamb’s song today—through acts of service, mercy, and fearless love.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
