Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.    Revelation 5:5-6 HCSB

In the animal kingdom, the Lion is viewed as the king of the jungle. He is considered fierce and ferocious. The lamb is viewed as small, sweet, calm and submissive. In these two verses, we first see Jesus described as the Lion of Judah. He is then described as the Lamb who has been slaughtered.

Charles Spurgeon did a sermon on these two verses, and he called it, “The Lion and the Lamb Conjoined.” He described Jesus as a lamb in his birth as a human being. He was fully man and fully God. He suffered in humility, gentleness, weakness and showed submission. He showed a loving sweetness to His friends.

He submitted to His earthly parents as well as to His heavenly Father. He suffered as men despised Him. He felt both physical and emotional pain, just like you and I do. He took children to Him. He died for miserable rotten sinners like you and me. He took on the sins of the world even though He had never sinned.

Jesus the Lion, conquered sin and death. He arose from the grave. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. He reigns in glory. He conquered Satan in the wilderness. He performed miracles and even sometimes expressed blame or disapproval. He resisted and was obedient unto death. He was victorious on the cross and triumphant in His resurrection.

As a lamb, He intercedes for us with God the Father. Charles Spurgeon describes it as pleading, continual offering, and bearing with the sons of men.

How do you see Jesus? Do you see Him as the Lion or the Lamb or both? It’s important that we don’t get the two confused.

For many years, I saw Jesus as the Lamb. I saw Him as someone who would overlook my sin and not judge me too harshly. I only saw the Lamb, but I should have seen the Lion. The Lion will be ferocious with His enemies. He will not tolerate our continued, deliberate sin (Hebrews 10:26).

Jesus the Lamb died to save you from your sins. He intercedes for you with God the Father. He cares for you and wants you to spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Jesus the Lion reigns in heaven and will not tread lightly around our sin. He will stand up and roar against His enemies. He will fight for us, we need only be still.

I thank God for Jesus, both the Lion and the Lamb. We need to be mindful of who He is and all He has done for us. He has taught us how to be submissive like the lamb. He has taught us to love others and be kind and trusting and obedient.

Jesus, the Lion, taught us to stand up for God. He taught us to be obedient even to the point of death. He taught us to trust in Him and stand firm against the tactics of the devil (Ephesians 6:10).

Trust in Him today. Obey Him. Imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). Let your inner lamb and lion show through.

Have a great day!