The Excellency of Christ: Why Jesus Is Both Lion and Lamb
Jonathan Edwards’ The Excellency of Christ begins with one of the most breathtaking scenes in Scripture: Revelation 5. John sees a sealed scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. No creature in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is worthy to open it. John weeps—until one of the elders says, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered” (Revelation 5:5).
But when John looks, he sees something unexpected: “a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6).
That holy contrast is the heart of Edwards’ sermon. Christ is not merely strong, and He is not merely gentle. He is the conquering Lion and the slain Lamb. In Him, glory and humility meet. Majesty and meekness are not in competition. Justice and mercy are not divided. They shine together in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The glory of Christ is seen in holy contrasts
Edwards’ sermon draws attention to what Scripture itself reveals: Jesus is infinitely above every creature, yet He stoops to save sinners. He is worthy to open the scroll of God’s decrees, yet He appears as the Lamb who was slain. He rules, conquers, judges, redeems, intercedes, and receives worship.
That matters because many people reduce Jesus to one dimension. Some imagine Him only as gentle and affirming. Others speak of Him only in terms of power, authority, and judgment. Revelation 5 refuses both reductions.
Christ is the Lion of Judah: royal, victorious, unconquerable. He is the Root of David: the promised King who fulfills God’s covenant promises. He is also the Lamb who was slain: the substitute who saves His people through His own blood.
The Christian faith does not ask us to choose between Christ’s majesty and His mercy. We worship Him because both are true.
Jesus is worthy because He conquered by sacrifice
The great question in Revelation 5 is not simply who is strong enough to open the scroll. It is who is worthy. The answer is Christ alone.
The heavenly song explains why: “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” (Revelation 5:9). His worthiness is tied to His redemptive work. He conquers not by avoiding suffering, but by passing through death in obedience to the Father and in love for His people.
This is one reason Edwards’ sermon remains so powerful. It directs our attention away from vague spirituality and toward the actual glory of the biblical Christ. Jesus is not worthy because He fits our preferences. He is worthy because He is the eternal Son of God who became man, obeyed perfectly, died sacrificially, rose victoriously, and reigns forever.
Christ’s majesty does not make Him distant
One of the comfort-giving themes in Edwards’ sermon is that Christ’s greatness does not make Him inaccessible to weak and needy people. The One who reigns in heaven is also the Lamb who was slain. His exaltation does not erase His compassion.
The New Testament holds this together beautifully. Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). Yet He is also the merciful and faithful High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:14–16). He is Lord over all, and therefore able to save. He is meek and lowly in heart, and therefore willing to receive sinners who come to Him (Matthew 11:28–30).
That is not sentimental comfort. It is gospel comfort. The Christian’s hope rests on the full Christ: divine, human, holy, compassionate, sovereign, crucified, risen, and reigning.
Worship should be shaped by who Christ actually is
Revelation 5 is not merely a doctrine lesson. It is a worship scene. Heaven responds to Christ with praise: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12). If our view of Jesus is thin, our worship will be thin. But when Scripture enlarges our vision of His excellency, worship becomes deeper, humbler, and more joyful.
Edwards helps us see that the beauty of Christ is not found in one isolated attribute. It is found in the harmony of all His perfections. He is glorious in holiness and gracious toward sinners. He is terrifying to evil and tender toward the contrite. He is above all things and yet came near in the incarnation.
This should steady believers in an age of shallow impressions. We do not need a redesigned Jesus. We need to behold the Jesus Scripture reveals.
Why this matters today
Many modern people are drawn to power but suspicious of humility. Others admire gentleness but resist authority. Christ exposes both errors. He is the King who serves. He is the Servant who reigns. He is the Judge who was judged in the place of sinners. He is the Lamb who conquers.
For Christians, this means our confidence is not in ourselves. We do not save ourselves by moral effort, religious activity, or emotional intensity. We look to Christ. He alone is worthy. He alone opens what no creature can open. He alone accomplishes salvation.
For those exploring Christianity, Revelation 5 offers a clear invitation: consider the glory of Jesus as Scripture presents Him. Not a vague moral teacher. Not a mascot for our opinions. The Lion and the Lamb. The crucified and risen Lord.
Watch the full video
Sermon Academy’s video on Jonathan Edwards’ The Excellency of Christ walks through this classic sermon and its vision of Christ from Revelation 5. Watch the full teaching here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6dG9K3Jar0
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