He Is Worthy!

by James Smith, 1860

"In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12

The worthiness of Jesus is one of heaven's own subjects; they realize it there, and therefore they sing of it there. We admit the fact in our creed, and we feel it at times in our own hearts — but we do not live under the daily and hourly impression of it, as we should. Jesus is worthy of universal homage, he is worthy of endless praise. O that his worthiness affected my heart and life more! O that the Holy Spirit would use my pen, to impress the minds of others with a sense of his worthiness! I would exalt his blessed name, and show forth his salvation from day to day.

Take whatever view of Jesus we may — his worthiness appears; but especially if we look at his glorious person, perfect character, and finished work. What he is — he is to his people; and what he has done — he has done for his people.

Beloved, Jesus is worthy of our UNDIVIDED AFFECTION. He deserves to be loved by us supremely. He claims, and ought to have our whole hearts. Others we may value — but Jesus should be in our estimation, a priceless pearl. Our warmest desires should ascend to him. Our deepest affection should center in him. No one has loved us — as Jesus has. No one has labored for us — as Jesus has. No one has suffered for us — as Jesus has. No one has done so much for us! No one has conferred so much upon us. No one has given us such promises. No one has prepared for us such glorious mansions. Whether therefore we think of what Jesus is in himself, or of what Jesus has done for us, or of what Jesus has promised to us, or of what Jesus has become to us — he deserves our highest love — he is worthy of our undivided affection. Holy Spirit, shed abroad the love of Jesus in our hearts, unfold the glories of his person to our minds, and witness to our saving interest in his perfect work — that so we may love him with all our hearts, and minds, and strength!

Jesus is worthy of our SUPREME CONFIDENCE. Jesus ought to be believed by us. He ought to be trusted. Every word he has spoken is true. Every invitation he has given is sincere. Every promise he has made is sacred. He cannot depart from his word, nor can he have any wish to do so. He cannot refuse to receive a coming sinner, nor can anything induce him to do so. He cannot fail to fulfill his promises — but must remain faithful and true. This being the case, he deserves to be treated with the greatest confidence by us. We should never doubt him. We should never question his word — but be prepared to stake our everlasting all upon it.

Beloved, let us commit our souls, our all to Jesus, and believe that he will save them, and make all things work together for our good. Let us be confident, because Jesus has spoken — because Jesus is true — because Jesus is unchangeable. Doubts and fears do not befit those who have such a Savior. Doubting and fearing, as it dishonors him, and distresses us — must grieve his loving heart. Spirit of Jesus, so teach us to know Jesus, that we may trust in him; trust in him at all times, and in all places; and work such faith in our hearts, that we may place unlimited confidence in him!

Jesus is worthy of our UNRESERVED SERVICE. Yes, whatever we can do — we should be prepared to do for Jesus; and whatever Jesus requires us to do — we should be ready to attempt to do. If he has our undivided affection, if we exercise supreme confidence in him — we shall be ready to do anything at his bidding. The flesh ought not to be consulted, though it too often is; creatures ought not to be preferred, though we fear they sometimes are. Jesus deserves the hearty, uncomplaining, cheerful service, of all who believe on his name. If our hearts are right with him, we shall not consider his commandments grievous; for love always makes obedience sweet. If our views of Christ are correct and scriptural — we shall esteem it our highest honor to serve him, however menial the employment. Better to be a door-keeper, and stand at the threshold, and watch night after night, for Jesus — than to dwell in a mansion with sinners, or in a palace with those who have no love to his name. Holy Comforter, enable us so to love Jesus, and so to confide in him, that we may feel it to be our highest honor to serve and glorify him!

Reader, what are your views of Christ? Do you consider him to be worthy of your undivided affection, supreme confidence, and unreserved service? I confess I do, and nothing grieves me so much, as my lack of warmer love to him, stronger confidence in him, and more thorough devotedness to his service. My warmest wish is to speak and write of Christ, to suffer and work for Christ, and to feel always in my heart toward Christ — as he deserves. He is worthy of all the honor he gets in heaven, and of ten thousand times more than be gets on earth. His father cannot honor him more, for he has given him a name which is above every name, and has passed a decree, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.