Acts 16:1-5
16: Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Reflection
Though circumcision was not one of the four regulations set in writing by the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:20), Paul will be taking Timothy with him to deliver the news of those regulations. Paul therefore asks that Timothy be circumcised, not as a requirement for salvation or even an act of obedience to God, but to remove a significant barrier as both men minister to churches of Jewish and Gentile congregations. By agreeing to this, Timothy was demonstrating uncommon humility as he took extreme measures to love others.
Context and motivation are critical to Paul. He argues strongly against being circumcised if a person believes that it is necessary in order to please God (Gal. 5:1–6); yet if the motivation is to remove barriers that would prevent people from hearing about the grace of God, Paul will gladly give up any number of cultural practices or preferences (1 Cor. 9:12–23).
Revelation 5:1-10
5: Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Reflection
Revelation 5:1–4 dramatically depicts the world’s desperate need for Christ. God is seated on a throne, holding a scroll sealed with seven seals. No one in heaven is worthy to open it; nor can anyone on or under the earth do so (vv. 2–3). John’s loud weeping (v. 4) indicates that the goal of history—victory over evil, sin, and death —all depends on the opening of this scroll.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:8–12) is the only conqueror who is able to open the scroll (Rev. 5:5). The nature of Christ’s triumph is illustrated in Revelation 5:6, when John sees a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. Christ was slain on the cross but now stands victoriously, having risen from the dead. His conquest through his death and resurrection guarantees the remedy and conclusion of world history. The lamb takes the sealed scroll (v. 7) and seizes control of the world’s destiny.
John describes an appropriate response to the gospel—appropriate and shocking at the same time. All heaven was worshiping God in Revelation 4, yet now Christ comes into the scene, takes the scroll from the Lord God Almighty (5:8), and the eyes of heaven turn from him who sits on the throne to the Lamb. The heavenly council erupts in celebration of the Son (vv. 9–10)! Perhaps nothing more clearly declares the deity of Jesus Christ than the fact that the focus of heaven’s worship shifts to him in this way.
Psalm 33:1
33: Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
Jesus is God, and is worthy to be worshiped by all creatures in heaven and on earth. Take time to worship the resurrected Lamb, declaring his worthiness to be praised.