I began writing this series, Post Tenebras Lux, for the purpose of offering the only thing I have to give those who are weary, grieving, and hopeless, including myself: hope. In the midst of pain, fear, sorrow, disappointment and shattered dreams, there is only one hope that can comfort our weary hearts—Jesus.
The final song in this Post Tenebras Lux series, Is He Worthy, was co-written by Andrew Peterson and my old college friend, Ben Shive. The song is based on a Kenyan liturgy used in Peterson's church that is a question and answer format between the celebrant and the people. This liturgy is supposed to unify the people and collectively remind them of who and what they believe. I absolutely love the wording and phrasing in the call and response style of this song.
I have learned that when someone is processing through grief and trials, it is good to let them say whatever it is they need to say without offering immediate answers, which can seem dismissive of what that person is experiencing. What can be helpful though is to repeat back to them what you hear them saying and give them an opportunity to confirm your understanding. This helps them to feel like they are heard and understood, rather than judged for their feelings. This song feels very much like a therapeutic biblical counseling session, where the celebrant is asking the congregation questions of how they feel and what they desire, and every word echoes the longings of my own heart. It goes on then to gently lead the congregation to affirming what they believe to be true, which is a helpful reminder when you are grieving, or feel anxious, scared, or helpless.
I used to do this with Sam. He went through a time where he doubted God; he was scared of his future and he was afraid God didn't love him, or that we didn't love him. I created small pocket "Truth cards" that I laminated and attached to a key ring so that he could read them when he felt that way, and remind himself of Truth. There was a Bible verse on one side with a kid-friendly paraphrased meaning on the back.
Peterson's call and response feels very familiar. So often I pray through Scripture in order to remind myself of the Truth I already know and believe, but need to feel afresh and be renewed in the spirit of my mind. Anyone who has read my writing knows this song resonates so greatly with me because it all centers on this central truth: He is making - and will forever make - all things new.
Andrew Peterson writes, "... And in Revelation 5 we get one of the most staggering images of who this Jesus really is and what He’s done for us and for all of His creation. The prophet, John, is weeping loudly because no one can be found who is worthy to break the seal and open the scroll. And then, quietly it seems, Jesus appears. A Lion and a Lamb, ascending the throne, revealing his glory to the angels and archangels and elders and, most astonishing of all, to you and me. All of heaven bursts into song:
'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV)."
Is He Worthy?
Verse 1
Do you feel the world is broken?
(We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen?
(We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through?
(We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new?
(We do)
The melodies of the congregants' echo is unresolved in the first three "We do"'s. It sounds like a confirmation of longing with a sigh, "we do..." The last "We do" ends on the "home note" of the scale, which feels very resolved. Because we are resolved that we DO wish we could see it all made new. To see brokenness made whole. To see weak and fragile made strong. To see wrongs righted. To see justice prevail. To see new conquer old. To see tears turned to laughter and mourning turned to utter and complete joy.
Verse 2
Is all creation groaning?
(It is)
Is a new creation coming?
(It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst?
(It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this?
(It is)
The second verse immediately follows the first verse, building up the suspense to the chorus. The melodies are the same, with the same unresolved sound in the first three lines with a confirmation at the end that it IS good that we remind ourselves of this: that the glory of the Lord will be the light within our midst. How beautiful that Light will be. "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." Revelation 21:23, ESV.
Chorus
Is anyone worthy?
Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this?
He is
In John's vision in Revelation, "I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?' And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it." But then...
"One of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; 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.'"
Jesus is the Lion of Judah who came to earth, lived a perfectly sinless life, was crucified, RESURRECTED, and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God. The question "Is he worthy" echoes from the angels who are seeking the One who is worthy, for there is only ONE who is worthy. And the resounding response of the elders in Revelation, of John, of all of us dressing up all our filthy rags to hide the sin and mess in our lives for which we cannot atone, the resounding response of the entire world for all of eternity is, "HE IS!"
Verse 3
Does the Father truly love us?
(He does)
Does the Spirit move among us?
(He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves?
(He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us?
(He does)
I freely admit that it is this verse that makes me choke up with grateful tears. The last call and response is my absolute favorite. God intends to dwell again with us. He once dwelled with His people in the Garden of Eden, through cloud by day and fire by night, and in a portable tabernacle in the Ark of the Covenant. He dwelt with them through the same Ark in a temple until that was destroyed; catch the foreshadowing there? He moved closer and dwelt with them in the person of Jesus Christ on earth. Since then, He dwells with us through the Holy Spirit, who dwells inside of us. And one day, praise be to God, God Himself will once again dwell WITH His people. Not in a cloud. Not in fire. Not in an ornate box barricaded by a thick veil, unable to be touched. No, He will dwell with His people. Personally. Face to face. Touchable. THIS is the truth I want and need to be reminded of. Often.
Bridge
From every people and tribe
Every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is!
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is!
He is!
This bridge adds some extra detail: "From every people and tribe, every nation and tongue..." There is no discrimination with God. People from each and every single nation and tribe—that HE created—will partake in the Kingdom of God. We will all eat at the same table. We will all reign with Christ together. The angels cry, "Is He worthy?!" Hear the despair in their cry. The longing. The absolute utter need for Jesus to be worthy. Then hear it with amazement and incredulity that this is even a question. Hear it with excited anticipation and absolute confidence of the indisputable answer of which there is no other, "Is He worthy?!?!! He is!!" Hallelujah, Jesus is worthy of all blessing and honor and glory!
Amen.
Sarah Broady is a wife, and mother to three boys including one with autism. She is a writer, advocate, speaker, and podcaster for her podcast, A Special Hope, available on her website, Hope in Autism and any podcast platform. You can find her on Facebook at @HopeinAutism, @ASpecialHopePodcast, on Twitter @3boys4me and @aspecialhopepod, and Instagram @aspecialhopepodcast.
