Almost any standard dictionary will define the word “worthy” as, “that which is of commendable excellence; deserving.” The definition is arresting. If we can trust the definition, there are few people in the world worthy of what they receive in life. Even great people bring little to the world that it has not known and appreciated, or known and discarded before. Who among us would assert that he or she is worthy of all the blessings received from the hand of a gracious God? Some arrogant persons might, but those who are truly in touch with themselves and with the Bible would never dare to take such an unworthy stand. Among the greatest people who have ever lived on the earth were the apostles of Christ. To these great men, to whom even we owe our salvation, Jesus said, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). This Jesus said after telling a parable of a slave plowing or tending sheep. When that servant returned to the residence of his master, he did not find that the master had all the preparations made to see that the slave had a good meal waiting for him. On the contrary, it was his duty to prepare the meal for the master after having labored all day. When we serve Christ to the best of our feeble abilities, we have done nothing worthy of praise or adulation. We have accomplished only what it is our duty, and we are unprofitable.
There are those who are truly great servants of Jesus. They have superior talent and are called upon to give Jesus superior service. Often, they are a blessing to all in the body of Christ. These men may appreciate our gratitude, but they never covet our praise, for they know they are undeserving. Selina Campbell once told her husband Alexander that he was the most perfect man she knew, one who always practiced what he preached. Campbell’s reply was, “My dear, I fear you do not see my faults.” All men have their faults and know more than anyone else that they do not deserve adulation from their peers. Great men also realize that others, no matter how humble, have the right to question them. It could be that a humble man would easily see what great men missed, and knowing that, they answer patiently when challenged or questioned.
There is One who is truly worthy of man’s adulation, One who deserves heartfelt praise. To Him, in the Book of Revelation, it was sung by the hosts of heaven: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us a kingdom of priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10). In the 12th verse of the same chapter, they sang, “saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:12). All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
