KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE CROSS The Lamb on the Throne 3.16.25 John 1:29 Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 19:14 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. Revelation 5:1-14 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 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. In a complete reversal of expectations, it is not a ferocious lion who is worthy to open the seal, but a slaughtered lamb. Through the imagery of Jesus as the slaughtered Lamb, God is completely redefining the world’s understanding of power. · Power and victory now come through sacrifice, not domination · The cross is the ultimate display of power (1 Cor 1:25, Col 2:15) · Jesus rejects earthly power structures (John 18:26, Luke 4:5-8, Mark 10:42-45) · The slaughtered Lamb is not weak but brings redemption As Christians in America, our political engagement must reflect the way of the Lamb: · Serving rather than striving for control · Prioritizing love over the need to win arguments · Speaking truth with humility, not arrogance · Pursuing justice through self-sacrificial love, not forceful demands · Loving our enemies and refusing to demonize those we disagree with · Being peacemakers, not combatants in a culture war for power · Pledging our full allegiance to Christ alone, not to any political party or nation If our engagement with politics mirrors the power-driven methods of the world, we are no longer following the way of the Lamb but have chosen the way of the Beast. John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

More Messages from Matt Nelson

From Series: "Kaleidoscope of the Cross"

An exploration of the many layers of meaning, beauty, and power found in the crucifixion of Jesus. Like a kaleidoscope, each turn offers a new perspective, revealing the depth of God’s love, justice, mercy, and victory through the cross.