A devotional by Jorge Monsalve.

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Revelation 5:11-14 NKJV

In our democratic societies, where we strive to find ways to distribute power and wealth in reasonable ways, the thought of concentrating these in one man elicits surprise, even suspicion. This reluctance is usually justified and it also has roots in the Reformation, where we boldly proclaimed that all of humanity is self-centred, even from conception. For this reason, it was wise to introduce the principle of checks and balances. Unrestricted, unassailable and indefinite power for one man? No thanks!—not even for the most pious one amongst us. But in this text we contemplate a very different situation. There is no competition, no vote, no protest. The heavenly parliament celebrates a unanimous handover of power. The Chosen one steps up in humility and receives what the world covets today: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. All of that would overwhelm and corrupt me, but not him, because he is worthy. Everyone is delighted that he is receiving this. This man stands in the centre, because he is also God: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Christ stands in the centre because he deserves it. It was not by rebellion but by obedience that he came to power. Unlike many in history, he did not take the life of his opponents to win a competition: he gave his own life to offer salvation to his enemies. And whilst so many people earn privileges by doing dirty businesses with their hands, Christ receives the scroll of honour with his pierced hands. No nobel prize and no academic title is comparable with the privilege of receiving the scroll of God with your own hands. Behold how Jesus receives what many people try to earn with all their strength—only to lose it again after death. He indeed receives what the devil tried to offer him in the desert, but without sin: the kingdoms, the abundance, and the acknowledgment. That temptation was therefore not even a negotiation but a shameless deceit. The Lamb first received mockery, but now he receives praise. He was first given the wooden beams, now the golden throne. He was burdened with the deepest humiliation; he is now crowned with glory. His blood was not the price of the throne but of the subjects that he redeemed. He delivered them from sin, death, and the devil. He is their eternal King. I say it with joy: he is my King! He already sat on the throne with the Father and the Holy Spirit from eternity past. He didn’t need a promotion. What he earned is his beloved people from all nations and tongues. He shed his blood to redeem poor, miserable sinners like you and I, that I would have simply disregarded if I were in his place. Those who believe in him and are baptised, he saves. With his own example he shows us the path of life: through self-deprecation towards glory.

Christ stands in the centre; therefore, every one will worship him. Falling down and worshipping is a natural reaction to the revelation of the glory of God. In this vision, the elders prostrate themselves without anyone commanding it. All that it took was the proximity to the throne and the ‘amen’ to the pronounced blessings. Bowing down may seem unusual in our time, especially because we have become wary of autocratic systems, but the Cross reminds us that this King is indeed selfless, benevolent and wise. Once we truly know him we can only bow down before him. But precisely here is where there can be an obstacle from our side: when we don’t know him or when we mistrust him. Do we contemplate the Lord God according to his revelation? That is, as the only one who is self-existent, who is utterly distinct from us and superior to us, more precisely, as the Holy one? Then a deep sense of awe will emerge without any compulsion. Do we confess Jesus Christ as the Living one? That is, as the one who conquered death and could not be prevented by the laws of physics nor biology from stepping out of the grave in glory? Then we can only kneel down and say, like Thomas, ‘my Lord and my God’. All creatures will worship the Lamb of God: animals as well as humans, willing angels in heaven as well as unwilling beings under the earth. He has overcome and makes all things new. Worship belongs to God and his Christ—to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb—, for they are one.

In some Christian charities in Germany you will find the slogan: ‘man stands in the centre’. Even though there is a good intention behind it, which is to treat all patients with the due attention and willingness, this slogan is incorrect. This man stands in the centre: Jesus Christ, truly man and truly God. The good, wise, loving and never dying ruler is not an illusion: he has already been elected and has come to power. Hence, let us follow him. The dark times of dishonest, incompetent, unfaithful or irresponsible rulers are followed by an eternal kingdom of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Out of this joy we can serve our neighbours every day. Out of this hope we can receive strength to resist temptations. For this reason we can sing with all creation: Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!