Revelation 5:1-5: a reflection

In John's vision, a sealed scroll lies in the right hand of God on the throne, and an angel asks who is worthy to open it. The answer, at first, is crushing: no one, in heaven or on earth or under the earth, is found worthy to open the scroll or even to look inside. And John weeps, weeps much, at the apparent hopelessness of it, that no one is worthy. But then one of the elders speaks: Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.

Notice the movement from despair to hope. John's tears flow because no one is found worthy; the scroll of God's purposes seems destined to stay sealed. But the answer comes: there is one who is worthy, one who has conquered, the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, Christ himself. Where all others failed the test of worthiness, he prevailed. Do not weep, John is told, for the worthy one has been found.

That word speaks to every despair over a world that seems to have no answer. There are moments when we, like John, weep at the apparent hopelessness of things, when no one seems worthy or able to set things right, when the future seems sealed and dark. But the gospel says: do not weep. There is one who is worthy, who has conquered, who holds the future and will open it. When you are tempted to despair that no answer can be found, that no one is able to make things right, remember the elder's words to John: do not weep; the Lion of Judah has conquered. The worthy one has been found, and he holds the scroll.