The Lion And The Lamb

I remember the first time I heard the song, “The Lion and the Lamb.” I was driving in my car, listening to a Christian radio station when it came on. The song describes our God as a Lion, roaring with power and completely unstoppable. Then, almost paradoxically, it describes Him as a Lamb, willingly sacrificing Himself for the sins of the world. The all-powerful Lion willingly stepped down from His rightful place as the King, became the sacrificial Lamb, and suffered the payment for our sin? This message struck a chord in my heart. Meditating on the amazing truth that God is both all-powerful and all-loving is one of the greatest catalysts that compels me to worship Him.

In the fifth chapter of Revelation, when the apostle John is compelled to, “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” he looks for the Lion and sees “…a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne…” Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb. He is both powerful and loving. Both of these attributes make Him worthy of our praise, but when they are combined, our praise can only increase.

When meditating on this, I like to start by closing my eyes and just attempting to fathom His power. I picture the universe in all its splendor. I see a multitude of stars, solar systems, galaxies, nebulas, an infinite amount of wonders—all of which were created by and are held together by His mighty hand. Then I think of the earth. I visualize vast oceans and towering mountains. I think of waterfalls, flowers blooming in the spring, and birds singing sweet melodies as the sun’s light gently glistens off of dew covered grass. I contemplate the complexity of each cell and the perfectly designed strands of DNA required in order for life to exist—all of which were created by and are held together by His mighty hand. I like to spend some time here, simply pondering His immeasurably, vast power.

Then, after some time passes, and these thoughts of God’s power begin to make their way into my heart, I think of how Jesus, with all that power, chose to be a servant and lay down His life for you and for me. He, who not only lived a perfect, sinless life, but was in fact the Lord Almighty in the flesh, became our substitute, and received the punishment we deserved at the cross. His was the ultimate and final sacrifice to pay the price for the sins of the world.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” Romans 5:8-9

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6

“…Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:3-5

He is the Lord Almighty: the Creator of the universe. He holds the stars in place, and He lovingly called each of us by name, having chosen us before the creation of the world. He is the Lion of Judah—powerful, almighty and unstoppable. And, He is the Lamb—gentle, loving, and willing to sacrifice for our benefit. What an amazing Savior who is worthy of all praise!

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