The artwork was a combined effort during a recent visit with our granddaughter Zelda.

The idea of Jesus as a lamb in Revelation 5:11-14 is based upon the Jewish tradition of sacrificing a lamb at Passover. If the Passover lamb had any power at all…it was the power of innocence—its powerlessness. Jesus chose the path of nonresistance, of love. During Holy Week, he did not fight his betrayal or the injustice of the accusations against him.

Why not? During his ministry, he had taught, healed, and shown mercy in speech and in action. The time had come for the final proclamation, to offer his life, rather than walking away from proclaiming the Good News of God’s love for all. Then it would be up to his followers to go and do likewise. The only good path forward is in love. Power in itself has no effect for good.

The universe gathers in Revelation to worship the lamb who makes no demands, who does not harness power to force his wisdom on the masses, but simply proclaims the mercy of God and gives his life as a demonstration of that love.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, in full harmony with all that was, and is, and is to come invites us to follow him as he asked Saul on the road to Damascus (why are you resisting me?) and Peter by the seaside after Jesus’ fish feast—Do you love me? Feed my sheep.

We follow our Risen Lord, grounded in the truest rhythms of the universe. We receive and practice love by listening…by offering practical help to those who need it. By giving dignity to those who struggle. By caring for and supporting creation. By praying and meditating on our risen Lord’s merciful love. May we have courage to follow like that.