Advent Devotional Resource - San Francisco Theological Seminary

Revelations 5:6-14Friday, December 18As a musician and singer, it is impossible for me to read this passage and not start humming thestrains from Handel’s Messiah that work with these verses. The words of verse 12 are especially wellknownthe world over precisely because of Handel’s great work. These are magnificent words: Worthyis the Lamb that was slain…Worthy indeed.And yet, I am a little saddened that these great words might possibly overshadow other equally importantwords that come earlier in the passage. Words found in verse 9. There the writer says: “…youwere slain and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and peopleand nation.”The God whose in-breaking we celebrate and await came to ransom people from every walk of life.While God chose to come to a specific place, time and people, that moment was not to be the onlyone to hold God’s amazing presence. God’s presence was and is meant for all. God reaches out to alland offers ransom to all.Our God is radically inclusive in sharing God’s love. Alleluia!As we wait for God’s coming again, let us follow God’s example in our own lives. Who is God askingfor us to open our hearts and lives to? Who do we hold back from engaging fully with?O God, source of unending, radical love, fill us to overflowing with your love. Help us to be as radically inclusivein our loving as you are. Give us the strength and courage to throw our arms wide open to embraceall you bring near to us. This we pray in the name of the one who was slain for our ransom, Jesus Christ.Amen.Rev. Leslie VeenSFTS Director of Field Education & Placement