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March – in like a lion and out like a lamb. Do you realize Jesus is called both? The Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah.
Jesus’ cousin, John, introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29b NIV He was referring to the Jewish law code that required an unblemished male from the flock to be sacrificed to pay for sin. Before Jesus came, God allowed animals to be substituted for sinners, looking ahead to the time the Savior would give His own unblemished life to not only cover sin but actually remove it.
All I know about lambs I’ve learned from the 4-H sheep my grandchildren exhibit at the county fair. They arrive in the show ring washed, brushed, and smelling good (lambs and grandkids) and docile enough a sixty pound 4-Her can lead a hundred pound sheep by holding the sheep’s neck in her hands. We see a far different picture of a lamb portrayed in Revelation 5 where it records thousands upon thousands of angels singing of Jesus, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:12 NIV
All I know about lions is what I’ve observed at the Henry Doorly Zoo, safely separated from them by a strong, high fence, and from C. S. Lewis’ depiction of Jesus as Aslan, the majestic lion, in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The title “Lion of Judah” comes from the prediction Jacob made of the future of his twelve sons, one of which was Judah: “You, Judah, your brothers will praise you: Your fingers on your enemies’ throat, while your brothers honor you. You’re a lion’s cub, Judah, home fresh from the kill, my son. Look at him, crouched like a lion, king of beasts; who dares mess with him? The scepter shall not leave Judah; he’ll keep a firm grip on the command staff Until the ultimate ruler comes and the nations obey him.” Genesis 49:8-10 The Message The ultimate ruler who is coming and whom the nations will obey is Jesus.
Throughout the month of March, think of Jesus when the wind roars like a lion, when the temperatures are as mild as a lamb, and any time in between when you take note of the weather. If our thoughts turn often to the Lamb’s sacrifice that bought our forgiveness and the Lion’s victory and rule, surely our joy will increase.