Lent | week 4
As we conclude the Lenten season, let us turn our attention to the Lamb of God, who was slain but will return as the King of Kings. This hopeful promise assures us that even in our darkest days of suffering and tribulation, Jesus sees us and provides a way through. Our peace rests in His tender care, and we find solace in the eternal perspective that all wrongs will ultimately be made right.
READ
Revelation 5:12b
12b Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
How Will You Worship?
– Ramona Bishop
During this Lenten season, how are you enduring suffering, loss, or discouragement? The book of Revelation presents a hopeful message for suffering people. Some mistakenly see only doom and destruction in this book, but careful examination reveals encouragement and hope for your darkest days. Jesus, the Lamb of God is the King of Kings, sovereign and in absolute control. He is with you in every circumstance.
In Revelation 5, John sees a scroll in God’s throne room that no one is deemed worthy to open – except Jesus. Our Savior steps forward, the Lamb, “standing, as if it had been slain”. Because Jesus won victory over sin and death, you can boldly enter God’s throne of grace with your heartache, pain, and loss. Jesus made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – for you! Because Jesus is also the King of Kings, your short-lived suffering will lead to eternal triumph. For now, life may be difficult and disappointing, but Jesus knows and sees each difficulty and provides a way through.
Revelation 7:9-17 presents a vision of believers who have endured the great tribulation. Clothed in robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb, they stand before God’s throne. Jesus, their Shepherd, leads them to springs of living water and wipes away every tear. Christ walks with us through our darkest valleys and deepest struggles. As our Shepherd, He promises comfort, guidance, renewal, and hope. Entrust your burdens to Him, knowing He sees every sorrow and longs to restore you as His under-shepherd. In this uncertain world, our ultimate security and peace rests in His tender care.
Finally, God’s promises culminate in Revelation 22. The Lamb Himself will reign forever in God’s restored creation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus will free His children from all pain and suffering. He calls us to patiently endure life’s struggles, even persecution and deep suffering, with an eternal perspective. We live with certain hope – someday everything wrong will be made right.
How will you worship Jesus as the Lamb of God, your Shepherd, and the King of Kings? His sacrifice brings forgiveness. His gentle care yields rest. His kingship gives hope. Jesus calls you to trust and follow Him. You can endure life with compassion, humility, and purpose as you await His return. The King is coming!
Until then, view your call to shepherd well as an act of worship to the King Himself.
PRAY
God of all gods, King of all kings,
Lord of all lords, I worship you.
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty! Just and
true are your ways, O King of the
nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and
glorify your name? For you alone are
holy. All nations will come and worship
you, for your righteous acts have
been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3b–4).
Thank you for providing all I need
to shepherd well. Amen.
DIGGING DEEPER -CONSIDER REVELATION 5, AS WELL AS REVELATION 7:9-17 AND REVELATION 22
How does the picture of the Lamb presented in Revelation encourage and strengthen you in your shepherding journey?
The conquering Lamb, King of Kings, is cause for great joy for the believer. How does this joy work itself out in the way you shepherd?
RAMONA BISHOP
Chief Human Resources Officer, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Ramona has honed her HR expertise for 25+ years, with notable positions in the banking arena prior to joining the BSF executive leadership team. She has also served as a volunteer leader in BSF for 33 years, 14 as Teaching Leader.
