Grace Notes // THE WAY OF THE LAMB
Written by Keli Miller
In The End // Week 5
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.Colossians 2:15
The roaring lion of Judah that we had been waiting for and expecting turned out to be more powerful than ever, in the form of a lamb. The ways of Jesus are completely paradoxical. Through the life of Jesus we learn that the first shall be last, the meek shall inherit the earth and when we lose our life we gain it. None of this should work, how can death lead to life?
“ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways...As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”
Isaiah 55:8
We seek power and rule by building walls, waging war, and making ourselves larger than others. Engaging in the war of the world and live our lives on the defense. And it is exhausting. The image of the Lamb of God teaches us a better way. We can learn from his willingness to lay down his life for others. He is quick to welcome sinners and honor them with conversation and gentleness. Even down to his own crucifixion Jesus is leading with grace, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
When I ask myself, how can he love so perfectly? How does His grace never end or fall short? I keep coming back to his perspective. Jesus knew his purpose, his identity and had assurance of how things end. The sin of others did not threaten him. He did not need to be on the defense because he knew the plan and trusted it. Jesus (the Lamb of God) lived with an eternal perspective and assurance.
Let’s dwell on the significance of John’s vision for a moment. The scroll sits in the right hand of God. The right hand representing the power and authority of God and the scroll representing the ways of God. And who is worthy to open this? No one but the Lamb of God who led through nonviolence and honor. Friends, we are called to follow the Lamb. Let’s put on an eternal lens and lead with love.
In the Word
Ephesians 6:10-18
Romans 2: 3-4
Revelation 5
On the Journey Inward
Are there areas that you are living on the defense?
What weapons have you clothed yourself in?
What does it mean to lead with love today?