Cheer from Wherever You Are – Family Devotion – May 4, 2022

Read: Revelation 5:11-14

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13

Cheer from Wherever You Are

 

Family Devotion – May 4, 2022

Devotion based on Revelation 5:13

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine yourself at a sporting event in a gym or stadium full of people. Hundreds or thousands of people are chanting, clapping, and shouting for their favorite team. What an energizing atmosphere when your team wins!

Even if you haven’t been in a big stadium like that, maybe you’ve watched your favorite team on television at home. You can hear the crowd roar and see people cheering. You might cheer and shout in your living room, too, as you watch on the flat-screen. It’s still thrilling to watch your team win, even if you’re not there in person.

In today’s reading, God gives the apostle John a special glimpse of what heaven will be like. The scene is a little bit like that stadium full of people:

  1. The angels are the cheerleaders, reminding us how wonderful Jesus is, worthy of cheers.
  2. Jesus is the hero on the field because of what he accomplished for us: He played the perfect game, and he gave all of himself in doing so. He even beat the most powerful enemy of all, death itself. When he rose from the grave, he proved himself to be the undefeated victor.
  3. Then the whole stadium erupts with loud cheers. Everyone! Some of the people praising Jesus are right there with him in heaven. And some are like us, still living here on earth, but following Jesus and celebrating his victory. Because we aren’t in heaven yet, we see this picture through John’s description of it in the Bible, and we join in the praise from where we are.

It’s a blessing for us to see this picture through John, because sometimes we need a reminder of how absolutely amazing the joy of Jesus’ victory is. As we live every day, it’s easy to lose some of the joy and energy of Easter. When we have a rough patch in life, when our enemies seem to be winning, our cheers for Jesus might die down a bit. We forget about his victory.

That’s why Easter’s stadium erupting in cheers is so good to see! It’s where we go, over and over again, to see Jesus win and see those in heaven who are praising him. Someday, we’ll be there too because Jesus paid for our ticket. Until then, we cheer him from where we are now—wherever he has put us. Because he is worthy of our cheers.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you have won the victory over sin and death. Let every person, far and near, praise you for what you have done. Help me to join in those praises, no matter how I feel or where I am, because you are worthy. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

  • The Bible tells us that Jesus won the victory. Who did Jesus have to beat in order to win?
  • The Bible tells us that Jesus won the victory. How did Jesus win?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

  • Recount the last time someone in your house was cheering their team to win. Describe what they looked and what they were feeling.
  • Discuss what cheering for Jesus feels and looks like in your life or to others watching you.

Questions for Middle School and Above

  • Jesus won! But sometimes you can’t tell by the looks on our faces. Name something happening in your life that makes you think that the devil and sin are winning. How can you be certain that they will not win in the end?
  • Name someone you know who is in heaven right now, cheering for Jesus. What do you and that person have in common?

 

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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