BEHOLD THE LAMB! Message Two
“THE POWER OF THE LAMB ”
John 20:19-23

The author of the fourth Gospel wrote four other books—1,2,3 John and Revelation. Many view the last book of the Bible as predicting the program of the coming Kingdom. But when we begin to read we find that it is a presentation of the coming King. While it is true that we discover many details about the end of the age—that is not the major thrust. It commences with these words, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants..." (Rev.1:1). He is described in the first chapter as "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth." (1:5a); " 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.' " (1:8); "and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.' " (1:12-18). Time does not permit us to examine the various ways Jesus is portrayed in relation to the seven churches of chapters 2-3. The scene shifts from earth to heaven in chapters 4-5. A scroll is presented in 5:1-5. This scroll is the title deed to the universe. Only One is found worthy to receive it—the Lion. But suddenly the image changes and the Lion becomes a Lamb (v.6-7). There are 28 references to Jesus, the Lamb of God in the Revelation. We no longer see Him as a pitiful Lamb who is crucified, but a powerful Lamb who is crowned! (5:12-13).

This Lamb is worthy of worship for He has:

1. POWER TO CONQUER DEATH (20:1-10) Jesus came into this world as the Lamb to be slain for the sins of men. He was led as a Lamb to the slaughter. In meekness and without resistance the Lamb had His blood shed on the cross. On Calvary, death took the lungs of the Lamb of God and sucked out the last breath. He reached His icy fingers into His chest and stopped His beating heart. Then they sealed His limp, lifeless form in the sepulchre of stone. A massive rock was rolled over the entrance with guards posted. But as the hymn says, “Death could not keep his prey, Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord! Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign; He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!” Peter said it this way. “But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.” What Peter saw that day in the tomb forever changed him from a man of cowardice to courage, liberated from the fear of death.

A missionary in Brazil discovered a tribe in a remote jungle. They lived near a large river. Disease was raging in the village with people dying daily. There was a hospital not far distant—but it was across the river. The Indians wouldn’t cross it because they believed it inhabited by evil spirits. The missionary explained that he had crossed it—but they weren’t impressed. He bent over and splashed some of the water on him— but they wouldn’t go in. He walked in waist deep—they still refused. Finally he dove under the water, swam across, unharmed he reached the other side and pumped his fist into the air, victoriously. Then the Indians broke into a cheer, and began to swim across. That's what Jesus did for us. He came into this world and encountered a funeral procession. In the presence of a grieving mother, He raised a little girl from the dead--but the people weren't impressed. He came to the tomb of Lazarus--dead four days--called him back to life, yet the people still didn't believe. Then Jesus dove into the river of death, came out triumphantly on the other side—and now, we need not fear!

2. POWER TO COMFORT DISCIPLES (20:11-18) Tears and tombs go together. What Mary felt has been the experience of many of you. Death is no respecter of persons—it comes to the old certainly, but also to the young. Rich and poor alike face this great inevitability. Saints and sinners gather at gravesides. But there is a difference. Paul said that we do not sorrow as those who have no hope. Mary’s sobs of despair gave way to shouts of delight--Jesus was alive! That changes everything. It certainly affects the way I prepare to preach a funeral. No matter how grief stricken the family may be, if we know their loved one had a personal relationship with Christ, there is hope and comfort.

During WWI a group of wounded men huddled together. One knew he had moments to live. A friend with him had lived a wicked life, been in prison, and would be arrested when he got home. The dying man took his dog tags, pressed them into hands of his buddy, pulled him close and said, “Listen, Dominic, you’ve lived a bad life…you are wanted by the police. But there are no convictions against me. My name is clear—take my dog tags, wallet and papers—my good name and give me yours and I’ll take your crimes away with me in death.” Jesus did that on the cross!

But it still would not have been enough if the grave were the end. A heroic death, a miscarriage of justice, a tragedy--but no salvation. But salvation was assured when three days later He rose from the dead. Paul said, “God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:24b-25 NIV)

3. POWER TO COMMAND DUTY (20:19-23) The Risen Lord has a duty He has commanded us to perform. We are to take the message of forgiveness to the ends of the earth in the power of the Holy Spirit. "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom.14:8-12). We call Him Lord—rightfully so—but are we living accordingly?

4. POWER TO CONVINCE DOUBTERS (20:24-31) Is it that important--to believe Christ actually rose from the dead? Barna Research says that 30% of those claiming to be born again Christians do not believe in the resurrection! Can you be a follower of Jesus Christ and deny this? No! We might struggle with doubt; we may have questions that vex us, but if we are sincere we find that there is abundant evidence for those who want to believe. Jesus patiently dealt with the doubting Thomas--but in the end his doubts gave way to a declaration, "My Lord and my God!" We must all come to that place for the Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). Would you do that today?