Jesus, our AMEN
When Jesus addressed Himself to the church of Laodicea in Revelation Chapter 3, He identified Himself as “the Amen.” A familiar word to all Christians, we repeat it at the end of our prayers, songs, and creeds, and it is generally understood as a statement of agreement – or “so be it.” But the use of this word in the scriptures is much stronger. It is really an oath, as though you were putting your signature upon a document.
What this also means is that you are calling down the blessings and curses of the covenant. In Deuteronomy and in Nehemiah, when the words of the covenant were read, including the blessings and curses, the people shouted their AMENS in agreement and as an oath to that covenant.
The reason Jesus is the AMEN is because He is the guarantee of the covenantal promises – everything in Christ is Yes and AMEN. By His perfect obedience, atoning sacrifice, and continuing intercession in the court of heaven, He is our AMEN, our covenant-keeper.
This is why we should shout our AMENS with great confidence. Our AMEN is a liturgical response to God’s Word both as an oath and a recognition that our salvation is wholly dependent not on our keeping of the Covenant but upon the perfect covenant keeping of Jesus Christ, who placed Himself under the Covenantal stipulations and curses in our place.
AMEN is our cry of agreement to the gospel. AMEN is our cry to Jesus for our final justification. AMEN is our declaration that we are perfect, but only in our perfect AMEN, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only in our AMEN that we find faith to believe the things we profess and sing and it is only in our AMEN that our prayers and petitions can reach all the way and into the very throne of grace. And so we come to worship the great AMEN, the faithful and true witness to the people of God, even Jesus Christ, our Savior.