During a time of deep emotional and spiritual wounding, when I went to sleep with a plea for Jesus' presence in my heart, I dreamed of a lion. The lion in my dream lived with us. He was not a pet but had well deserved respect from us. As I lay on the rug in front of a fireplace beside the lion, suddenly he had me in a bear hug from behind, his mouth covering my head. My first reaction was fear, until he held me there for a while and I realized the gesture was one of loving control and protection. The lion had my back.
In Christian tradition, the Lion of Judah represents the triumphant Jesus. Jesus was from the tribe of Judah and he is mentioned as the Lion of Judah in Revelation 5:5; "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Many Christian organizations and ministries use the lion of Judah as their emblem or even their name. The use in C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia of a lion named Aslan is known to represent Christ.
Jesus first appeared on earth as a sacrificial lamb. He was literally led to slaughter to provide a bridge between this fallen world and the holiness of God. He was not a victim but a willing participant in our redemption, if we trust in his righteousness (and not our own) to save us. The second chapter of the book of Philippians shows us that because Jesus descended from heaven and humbled himself in this way, he is given the "name above all names" and everyone, eventually, will worship him.
In Revelation, we see the risen Christ, triumphant, certain of his victory over sin and our mortal enemy. His message to you, wherever you are is this: "Dry your tears. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has prevailed." He has your back.
In Christian tradition, the Lion of Judah represents the triumphant Jesus. Jesus was from the tribe of Judah and he is mentioned as the Lion of Judah in Revelation 5:5; "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Many Christian organizations and ministries use the lion of Judah as their emblem or even their name. The use in C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia of a lion named Aslan is known to represent Christ.
Jesus first appeared on earth as a sacrificial lamb. He was literally led to slaughter to provide a bridge between this fallen world and the holiness of God. He was not a victim but a willing participant in our redemption, if we trust in his righteousness (and not our own) to save us. The second chapter of the book of Philippians shows us that because Jesus descended from heaven and humbled himself in this way, he is given the "name above all names" and everyone, eventually, will worship him.
In Revelation, we see the risen Christ, triumphant, certain of his victory over sin and our mortal enemy. His message to you, wherever you are is this: "Dry your tears. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has prevailed." He has your back.
Great article, Steve. Tim Pierce
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