Is He Worthy?—HE IS!
At Christmastime, we become nostalgic, going back to the similar traditions we have enjoyed since we were children, and while the ways we celebrate may change, the purpose for our celebration does not.
Go with me on a long drive, one of almost a thousand miles round trip.
This time, ride rather than drive.
This time, be lulled to sleep. Rest.
This time, feel not the steering wheel inside the clasp of our hands.
Instead, this time, feel the warmth of the sunshine upon our face.
Enjoy the luxury of closing our eyes, of soaking up the sun rays that fill the interior of the vehicle.
Sunlight.
Sunshine.
Warmth.
Glorious Revelation.
Andrew Peterson’s song “Is He Worthy” shouts the truth about God. Pause to sing a piece of this melody with me as we recall the Sunlight, the Sunshine, the Warmth, the Heat, & the Glorious Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, being born.
“From every people and tribe Every nation and tongue/
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God/
To reign with the Son!/
Is He worthy?
Is He worthy?”
Of all blessing and honor and glory/
Is He worthy?
Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
PAUSE. PAUSE. PAUSE. PAUSE. PAUSE & WAIT. PAUSE & LISTEN. PAUSE TO HEAR. PAUSE TO SEE. PAUSE TO BELIEVE. PAUSE TO RECEIVE. PAUSE & SEE—JESUS!
“HE IS!”
“Is He Worthy” by Andrew Peterson
During a recent drive, I found myself riding within the cab of a pick-up truck rather than driving my Subaru hurriedly down the highway. As I rode along, I sensed several differences within this journey, and as I reflect upon this journey, it is with great praise that God can be glorified.
Jesus came to earth from heaven.
God sent His only Son to make the only way to know God in personal relationship.
Jesus did not need anyone to “prepare the way,” but our Lord allows us to be a part of His great Salvation plan.
Before Jesus came, He gave space for prophets, priests, prophetesses, earthly kings, and even slaves to share with the world about the coming of the Messiah.
See with me the forerunner—John the Baptist.
See with me the prophet—sent to proclaim about The One—Coming!
See with me the man who was not God but the one who told the world about the One.
“And his father [John’s father] Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying:
(Luke 1: 67-68 & 76-79 NASB)
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us [Zechariah & his wife Elizabeth] and accomplished redemption
for His people, . . .
And you, child [John the Baptist] also will be called
the prophet of the Most High; [Jesus]
For you will go on before the
Lord to prepare His ways;
To give His people the
knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
[John was given the amazing task to preach, to help prepare the people’s hearts.]
[John obeyed Almighty God as he walked through his life.]
Because of the tender
mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from
on high will visit us,
[Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, who came from heaven—to us!]
To shine on those who sit in darkness
and the shadow of death,
[Without Jesus, we remain within our sins, walking in darkness, headed toward our death, toward our eternal separation—from God.]
[Without Jesus, we have no Hope of everlasting life, no Hope!]
To guide our feet into the
way of peace.”
[Jesus is the Prince of Peace]
Incomprehensible!
Jesus Christ the Messiah of the world!
Complete Authority!
Eternal!
- No End to His government!
- No End to His peace!
- No End to His justice!
- No End to His righteousness!
- No End!
Zechariah knew his long-awaited son was sent to proclaim the Light to the world. He knew his baby boy had such a large task.
We too—are sent to proclaim.
We too—are to tell others about the Light of the world.
We too—are called to share Jesus with the world surrounding us.
God does not want us to become so caught up in our own self-proclamation, but He desires that we serve Him as we tell the world about His Son Jesus. Just as John the Baptist knew, our names are not so important as that name above all names! Just as we see and remember this Christmas season, we are called to proclaim Jesus to the world surrounding us. We are to tell others about Jesus, doing our part, while we wait and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
“For you will go on before the
(Luke 1: 76b-79 NASB)
Lord to prepare His ways;
To give His people the
knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender
mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from
on high will visit us,
To shine on those who sit in darkness
and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the
way of peace.”
May we tell the world about Jesus.
May we obey Jesus’ Great Commission—to GO & to TELL!
May we be the one who reveals Jesus to those we encounter this day.
May we reveal the Ultimate Sunlight & Beautiful Sunshine & Godly Warmth & Glorious Revelation to others.
As believers & as God’s children, we are called to be the light of Jesus to the world.
As we proclaim Jesus to those who remain in darkness, may we speak words that will help them know.
May God find us faithful.
May God find us faithful—today.
May God find us faithful—tomorrow.
May HE find us faithful.
“Of all blessing and honor and glory/
Is He worthy?
Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
JESUS! HE IS!”
“A man came, one sent from God, and his name was John.
(John 1: 6-13 NASB)
He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person.
He was in the world, [Jesus was] and the world came into being through Him, [through Jesus] and yet the world did not know Him.
He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him.
But as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.”