Thursday, March 2, 2006
Revelation 5:5-6a ". . . See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne . . .
IN LIKE A LAMB, BACK LIKE A LION
Here John is directed to see a Lion, but when he looks, he sees a Lamb instead.
They say that the month of March "comes in like a roaring lion, and goes out like a gentle lamb." But Jesus did the opposite. He came into this world like a gentle Lamb, but will return like a mighty Lion.
The lambs that the Jews sacrificed at the Temple had to be perfect. No broken legs. No bad eyes. Nothing could be damaged on the lamb brought for sacrifice.
As the lamb that would be sacrificed for our sins, Jesus had to be perfect too. He couldn't have any sins of meanness. He couldn't have any sins of greed. To be our perfect sacrifice, Jesus couldn't have any sins at all.
In stories, when good wins over evil, the hero usually triumphs by some show of force. Luke Skywalker defeated Darth Vader in a great light-saber duel. Sleeping Beauty's prince slew the dragon with a sword.
But in the real world, how did Jesus win the victory for us? He died. It looked like He had been defeated! But through His suffering and death Jesus destroyed all the power of sin, death and the Devil.
Ever seen a lion lying on the savanna in Africa? Only the stupid animals mess with the king of the jungle. He is too fierce and powerful for them.
In the same way, when Jesus returns to collect His followers, His enemies will not be able to stop Him: not death, not the Devil and not the grave.
