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I was reading in the book of Revelation this morning. In chapter 5, the author, John, is having a vision of God’s throne room. God is on the throne and holds a scroll. Then a strong angel shouts out, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll?” The answer in verse 4 states that, “no one was found worthy.” A few verses later, the Lamb (Jesus) enters the scene, having been crucified and resurrected. The audience in the throne room begin to sing, “You are worthy…”

I think this idea of worth is where a lot of people struggle to understand God and the Christian faith. We put a lot of “worth” into things and people. Here in the States, even the worst criminals have rights and are “worthy” of being treated with some measure of respect and decency – even if we are sending them to their death.

And I believe there is “worth” in all of us. I believe God finds worth in us too. He values us. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to me why he values me (and some others), but He does. He proves his love, our worth, and His placement of value on us through the gift of His Son. Jesus didn’t “die for nothing.” We are something. God loves us. We have worth.

The trouble is – we aren’t “worthy” of that worth that God places on us. When it was time to open the scroll, NO ONE was found worthy. There was no one in heaven or on earth that was worthy to open the scroll. Let me say that again – NO ONE was found worthy. Not Billy Graham. Not the apostle Paul. Not George W. Bush. Not your grandmother. Not your aunt who makes the greatest pies in the world and has never harmed a fly. NO ONE was found worthy. Do I have worth? Yes. I’ve made that case. Does (did) your grandmother have worth? Yes. But we are not worthy. We couldn’t have opened the scroll. We can’t worth ourselves into God’s presence.

What I’m trying to get at is this – so many people have a hard time admitting they are not worthy – or their grandmother, or their aunt, or whoever. We all “sin.” We have all turned from God. We are worthy of one thing – rejection. Our sin separtes us from God. We are qualified for punishment – not opening scrolls or marching in to God’s presence. It would be good if we could come grips with our own, and everyone else’s, sinfulness. We are all in this together. We are all in need of forgiveness, salvation, redemption. And that is why the Lamb was crucified. He carried our sin, he took our punishment. And He imparted to us His worth. And that is how we come to God. Through the worth of His Son.

I’m not worthy, but I am so glad that Jesus was, and is, and is to come. Find your worth in Him today, and pray for others to do the same.

I was reading through the story of Jonah and came acrossed this verse today – “…for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. ” (Jonah 4:2b – NKJV). Isn’t it great to know that our God is a gracious and merciful God? He is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. He is so patient with us and so willing to forgive. Where would I be without his grace, mercy, lovingkindness, etc?