In the Christmas season people often wonder about the savior of the world presented as a baby. But our reading today in Revelation presents even bigger wonders about our savior. Let's think about just a few of these strange, seemingly contradictory statements today.
1) The conqueror is a lamb. When we think about a sheep of any age we hardly think of a ferocious animal. We never think of courage and intelligence when we think about a lamb. We never think of wisdom. Yet God, in his wisdom, has appointed that the lamb be the one who overcomes the sin of the world.
2) The conqueror overcame by dying. What kind of victory is this? We think of victory as implying failure to die. On the contrary, we picture it as bringing down the enemies and remaining at least mostly unscathed. But this dying savior is the one we are given in Revelation. And he's the only one we're going to be given. This is not your run of the mill savior. He's something altogether different.
3) The death of the conqueror means life for the world. What kind of overcomer dies and secures a different result for all his followers? I thought we were supposed to be partakers of the victory of our victorious conquering king. Again, our Lord has a different idea about what works.
As we look at the baby Jesus in the manger this Christmas season, let us look at the other seeming contradictions. The poor man who owned only one good garment was the Lord of the whole planet and all its wealth. The one who is the bread of life is hungry. The one who gives living water is the hot and thirsty man. The one who cleanses is walking around with dirty feet. The dying one gives life. The one rising to judge all faithlessness is judging those who believe on him as if they are faithful. Keep looking for those unexpected comparisons in the upcoming weeks.
Rejoice in Christ!
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