I
just got back from spending a few days with my dad in central Nebraska. In
preparation for his knee replacement surgery next week I took him to his
pre-op appointments. Since they had just gone from blizzard conditions (29
inches of snow!) to 70-degree temperatures, weather was a popular topic of
conversation. It was obvious that while March had “come in like a lion”, it
was “going out like a lamb”.
While waiting for Dad to finish up one of his tests, I decided to walk about
the hospital. I came across a waiting room that had been decorated with
handmade wall hangings. Each quilt was unique, and, since I can hardly sew
on a button, I truly appreciated all the work that had obviously gone into
creating such beautiful pieces. They were all wonderful, but the one that
caught my eye was not the one with the most colors, or the largest. It fact,
it was probably the simplest design – that of a lion and lamb, lying side by
side.
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I looked at it I thought back to the conversation about the weather and
March being compared to a lion and a lamb. It was then that God asked me a
question. “Do you see My Son as a lamb or as a lion?”
Now, that’s a very good question. How do I see Jesus?
When
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized, John identified Him
as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Isaiah
refers to His coming as one who “was led as a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah
53:7). The Book of Revelation speaks of Jesus as a lamb 28 times. And,
everyone knows that the lamb is the traditional symbol of Easter.
So…obviously He is the Lamb, right?
Well, Jesus is the Lamb. But He is also the Lion! Revelation 5:5-8 says,
“Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals. And I saw
between the throne and the elders a Lamb standing as if slain…)
Tragically, the world
has played down the majesty and power and might of Jesus. Yes, He came as a
Lamb. He allowed Himself to be led to the slaughter. But that is not the
end!! He may have “come in like a lamb, but He went out like a lion!”
Just as Jesus did not stay that tiny helpless baby in the manger He did not
stay the helpless sacrificial lamb, nailed to the cross. We must never
forget that He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of
God, and that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord!!!
Especially
as we go into this Easter season, let us not focus on only the Lamb and the
cross, but let us celebrate our risen King. Just as the lion is the king of
beasts, Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords!
If
you haven’t made Jesus your king, why not take this time to recognize Him as
your Lord and Savior. As the sacrificial Lamb, He died to take away your
sins. As the Lion, He lives and reigns so you may live!
