Not All Lions in the Bible are Bad!
“Judah is a lion’s cub ….the scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until the one to whom it belongs comes. He will receive the obedience of the peoples.” – Genesis 49:9a & 10
Not All Lions in the Bible are Bad!
When I was a young reader, I remember being captivated by the character of Aslan, a king in the C.S. Lewis book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Aslan was a talking lion, known to be kind, wise, and noble. He also, without giving the entire plot away, proved to be forgiving and humbly sacrificial to the undeserving. He freed his followers of stone, gave them life, and brought them triumphant victory. As I describe such a lion-leader, you may be picking up on the parallels to our Savior Jesus in the Bible. C.S. Lewis, through storytelling, taught children about the saving work and characteristics of our God. His book made an impression on me. Maybe it did for you as well.
Moving from fiction to fact, we hear Jesus described as a lion throughout the inspired Scriptures. In Bible times, much of the Middle Eastern world was familiar with the lions. We find them in locations like Babylon where Daniel’s life was spared by God in the lions’ den. They were often depicted as a regal symbol of the earthly king. They gave the impression of might and authority. How fitting for Jesus, the eternal King of kings, to be described in such a way! The power, majesty, and wonder of his kingdom is never ending.
Victory over our sin, death, and the devil are his as well! Jesus was born in the tribe of Judah as foretold by Jacob. Micah the prophet reminded God’s people that through Bethlehem, the town of David, in Judah, the scepter would remain for “the one who will be the ruler for me in Israel. His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity.” The book of Revelation, which pictures Jesus as the Lamb of God, worthy as our sacrifice for sin, also says this in chapter five, “Stop weeping. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed and is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Our life, both now and forever, remains under the capable control of Jesus. He is on his throne. The scepter is in his hand even today. We can rejoice in the security he alone gives to us. During the season of Lent, we find Jesus suffering and dying on a cross for our sins. And keep watching! Look as the Lion rises to rule and reign! And watch for Jesus’ arrival on the day when all will hear him roar. For on that day we will join him in heaven and spend eternity before the throne of our risen king Jesus, the lion of Judah.
