Name the tune

by Reid Matthias

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And they sang a new song (Revelation 5:9a).

Read Revelation 5:6–14

The Book of Revelation is generally seen from two different perspectives. On one hand, there are those who think about it as that ‘freaky book of prophecy at the end of the Bible – let’s avoid it’, and on the other hand, there are those who say, ‘The Book of Revelation is the most important in the Bible, and the interpretation of it will unlock everything we need to know about God and the future – let’s study only that one.’

Perhaps somewhere in the middle of these two perspectives is some fertile ground for conversation and devotion. Shall we have a go at it?

There is immense pageantry in this passage of what was revealed to John. He describes the throne room, the hub of heaven. Sitting on the grand chair is God, who has in his hand the scroll that unlocks the secrets of what is most important to him, and he’s looking for someone worthy to read it. None of the four creatures is worthy to open the scroll. The 24 elders are left wanting. In fact, there is no-one in heaven or on Earth who can be found worthy of opening it.

While many might have been wondering what was written, those in attendance at the majesty and pageantry are overwhelmed with awe – deep, intense wonder – at the ‘Lamb who was slain’, who appears at the centre of the throne room. The attendees fall to their knees. Suddenly, everything they might have worried about in the scroll melts away, and they can only see the Lamb of God.

Once they recover their senses, the 24 elders pick up their harps and begin to sing a new song, completely focused on Jesus and what he had done. We aren’t told what their old song was, but if it’s anything like our contemporary world, the song might have been something like this:

I am worthy.

I have been faithful.

I have done all this for you, Jesus.

I have earned my way to heaven.

But the new song sung by the elders, then joined by 10,000 times 10,000 angels, and finally every creature in heaven and on Earth (can you imagine it!), is:

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power forever and ever!

And they all fell down and worshipped.

You see, faith has never been about us. It’s never been about our good deeds and our ‘thoughts and prayers’. No, it’s always been about Jesus. It’s the song that should continue to be sung from now through eternity.

Here is the core of the Book of Revelation. It’s not simply a glimpse into the End Times, but more a spotlight on the One who has, is and will always love the creation and will bring it back to himself someday in the future.

Now, what will your new song sound like?

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, forever and ever. Amen.

Reid Matthias is the school pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Reid is married to Christine, and together with their three incredible daughters, Elsa, Josephine and Greta, they have created a Spotify channel (A 13) where they have recorded music. Reid has recently published his seventh novel, A Miserable Antagonist. You can find all of his novels and music links at www.reidmatthias.com

The people you meet

by Reid Matthias

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked (Acts 8:30).

Read Acts 8:29–35

Unfortunately, the context from this passage is not included in our reading today; however, Philip has been told by an angel of the Lord. No other directions, only ‘Go south to the desert road …’

It’s interesting how we meet the most wonderful people when we travel along paths that seem deserted. While on recent travels in a different country, I happened to be wearing a Fremantle Dockers cap. As we were walking outside the Vatican, a man eyed me curiously. As we passed each other on the street, he said to me, ‘Go the Pies.’ Of course, I wasn’t ready for someone who knew AFL; however, we had a brief conversation that ultimately resulted in another surprise.

We were on the same cruise ship. And we met each other again by the pool.

For 10 days, I met and re-met this man and his wife, and each time we did, we talked about deeper things. He found out I was a pastor in Australia, which, while he hadn’t had a positive experience with religion, he found the eventual conversation about faith fascinating and not at all what he expected.

Now, in likening my story with Philip’s story in the Bible, I did not eventually baptise him in the ship’s swimming pool. But the other similarities bear a resemblance. Philip was minding his own business when an angel directed him to go a certain way. When he did, he encountered a startling man – an important official, a eunuch, who was in charge of the treasury of Queen Candace in Ethiopia.

It would have been very easy for Philip to disregard this man. Certainly, this foreigner, this Gentile, and a disgraced one at that, could have been seen as outside the boundaries of grace. Philip’s response to the official’s question of faith was one of connection and faith. After the passage was explained to him, the official asked to be baptised, and what history tells us is that this Ethiopian official took the Christian faith back to Africa, where some of the oldest churches in history, older even than those in Europe, were started.

This was because of God’s hope of saving faith through Jesus for all people. God used Philip and his obedience simply to ‘Go south to the road – the desert road.’

On which deserted road might God be calling you? Can you imagine the interesting people you might meet and share the saving grace of Jesus with?

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for speaking to me, giving me guidance along the way. Open my eyes to the wonderful opportunities to share your love. Amen.

Reid Matthias is the school pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Reid is married to Christine, and together with their three incredible daughters, Elsa, Josephine and Greta, they have created a Spotify channel (A 13) where they have recorded music. Reid has recently published his seventh novel, A Miserable Antagonist. You can find all of his novels and music links at www.reidmatthias.com

Are you serious?

by Reid Matthias

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip (John 1:46).

Read John 1:43–51

Let’s face it. We all know that one place, or that one town, where everyone said, ‘Uh, that’s the place to avoid.’ I won’t name any names here (other than Las Vegas, ugh), but picture that town or city in your mind. Then, understand why Nathanael questioned Jesus’ hometown.

For Nathanael, Nazareth would have carried the same significance as Woop Woop, Australia. Considered by many locals to be the middle of nowhere, Nazareth had no special meaning to anyone or anything. Additionally, the Old Testament Scriptures don’t seem to point to Nazareth much when it comes to Messianic prophecy, although Matthew says that the Messiah would be a Nazarene. Bethlehem, yes. Jerusalem, yes. Nazareth, not so much.

Therefore, Nathanael’s question is about being flabbergasted.

God doesn’t use the normal, everyday kind of place or person for his needs. God uses the famous and the entertaining. God uses bright lights and neon signs, right?

It’s interesting that Philip’s response to Nathanael’s question is so short and simple. ‘Come and see.’ Philip doesn’t have to convince Nathanael of Jesus’ power or his references. Jesus can do that on his own.

Just come and see. Jesus is the King, born in a manger. He’s the Lord of Creation walking down the road with sandy feet. He’s the Prince of Peace who will carry the cross for you and me.

So much more than we ever expected from someone from Woop Woop, Nazareth.

If I can offer any one piece of advice for this, on 21 January, it would be this: Don’t be surprised when the world’s limitations of Jesus fall short. Those who would call him a fairy tale, a myth, a liar and a fraud will someday come to the realisation that Jesus is the Son of God come for you and me to bring us to the Father for eternal life.

Come and see.

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this world, a humble servant, a king with a cross. Thank you for superseding all my expectations and overwhelming me with joy for your future. Amen.

Reid Matthias is the school pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Reid is married to Christine, and together with their three incredible daughters, Elsa, Josephine and Greta, they have created a Spotify channel (A 13) where they have recorded music. Reid has recently published his seventh novel, A Miserable Antagonist. You can find all of his novels and music links at www.reidmatthias.com