Thank You God for The Lion and The Lamb

Well this March is not disappointing when it comes to the old saying, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb”.  It is freezing in the ‘Ville.  Cold winds blowing, temperatures plummeting, and snow flurries in the air.  As much as I want sunny and 75 all year-long I can’t complain,  I am blessed with clothes and shelter to keep me warm and safe and healthy food to nourish me.  As I sit here wishing for what I don’t have, the old saying of March got me thinking about Jesus as the Lion and the Lamb.

When I think about Jesus birth, I don’t see him, like March, coming in like a lion as roaring and loud, I am sure like any newborn he was crying, but he came as our King. Lions are  symbols for kings and Jesus is most definitely the Messiah whom God sent to save us from all our sins, to watch over us, guide us, direct our thoughts and actions, and to show us how to live a life of  love and truth while we are on this Earth.   Lysa Terkeurst puts it this way, “A life between two gardens”.

I love the song by Big Daddy Weave, “The Lion and The Lamb”.  The lyrics go, “The lion of Judah, roaring with power, fighting our battles”.  The lion of Judah, this was the name given to Judah by his father Jacob found in the Book of Genesis, in the begin of the Bible.  The tribe of Judah would be the tribe that would continue to produce leaders. Genesis 49:8-10 . King David, another king, was a descendant of Judah, and who was a descendant of King David?  Wait for it… Wait for it…

Jesus!

Now before we move on to Jesus being the lamb, this is what I think is so incredible, if  like me you  are not a Bible scholar, back in Genesis 49:10 to be exact, it tells us:

Jacob had given Judah a distinction above his brothers.  His tribe would continue to produce leaders until the coming of the Messiah.  And Jesus lineage can be traced back to the Lion of Judah. Matthew Chapter 1.   Sorry, squirrel in traffic, I get so easily distracted when the Bible all comes together, I hope you do too. And this story just keeps on giving, because if you keep reading I’m going to show you again how this story just keeps on knitting itself together.

Let’s go back to Big Daddy Weave for a hot second, the lyrics continue, “Our God is the lamb, the lamb that was slain for the sins of the world, his blood breaks the chains.”

Yes, when Jesus so selflessly gave His human Will over to God’s Will  that he would die to save us, selfish non deserving humans, of our sins, He was the sacrificial lamb the Old Testament speaks of.  No longer did people have to go and bring a lamb or other animal to the High Priest to sacrifice for their sins.  Jesus death, the gentle lamb, tore the veil.

Take a look with me if you will  at Revelation 5:5-14.

Who was the one worthy to open the scroll?

Yes sweet friend, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was slain.  Jesus.  It takes my breath away every time I read this passage.  It all comes together.

He is always there watching over us, protecting us as a lion, powerful, strong, helping us in the good times and bad. Because dear friend, we have and will continue to face difficult times.  It’s during these times we must cling to our faith in Jesus and grow stronger in our relationship with Him.  As Corrie ten Boom once said, ” No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still; with Jesus even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.”

AND

As the lamb, he is gentle, humble, and selfless.  He left His perfect home in Heaven to come to Earth to show us how to live.  Because of His ultimate sacrifice, You and I dear friend can go straight to God with all our mess, hurt, and shame.We can  humble ourselves and ask for grace and forgiveness.   Sounds a little scary, yes, but that is exactly what our heavenly Father is there for and He is waiting for us to lay it all at His feet.  To lay it all at the cross.

My word for this year is “Grow”, I even bought a little bracelet with the word engraved on it to remind me daily that God wants me to “Grow” in my faith in Him and in His likeness.  How can someone like me be a lion, fierce, strong yet a gentle lamb all at the same time?

I am always thinking about something, many times how I could have handled a situation differently, more like Jesus would have handle it. Sometimes I do this too much that I start talking out loud to myself.  One day my husband, Paul, said,  ” You have more conversations with yourself than anyone I know”.  It wasn’t until then that I realized that I was thinking loud enough for others to hear!

Well that got me thinking even more. If he could hear me, then absolutely, my Savior in heaven can hear every word I think and say.  Just like I can take all my mess and thanksgiving to God in prayer, I can also go to Him and ask for guidance and direction, wisdom and discernment.

When I pray and ask God for guidance and direction, He will lead me to the exact place I need to be in His Word for each and every situation I am in.  If I need to be gentle and humble like a lamb I can read:

“to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus 3:2

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”  James 3:17

And sometimes God leads me to people who are following in His likeness to be examples for me in this world. Max Lucado is one of those people God introduced me to his books years ago.  This is a great quote when I need a good example and reminder:

“choose gentleness… Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself. ” Max Lucado.

God has also led me to an amazing husband and wife team, two people, I have found by reading their books and one day would love to meet, (Bob gives his cell phone # in the back of his book, I don’t think I could ever call and say “Hi Bob this is Jane Ann, but after reading his book, it is exactly what he would do.) just live loving people like Jesus wanted us to love as He did. The couple is Bob and Maria Goff.  In their books they share their personal adventures of God’s calling to love even some the people most would consider evil and why would anyone love them kind of people.  Because those types of people need love too.

During times when I need to be more lion-like, protecting myself from Satan’s temptations or times when I need to be bold to stand up for myself. But most of all because on that morning when breathe returned to Jesus body  and like a roaring lion who proclaimed the grave has no hold on me, I have living hope to get through any trouble or difficult situation   I can turn to His word and find:

“The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command.” Joel 2:11 a

“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Precious friend, join me this year growing in faith and loving like Jesus.

Maria Goff “Love Lives Here”

Bob Goff Website

Max Lucado Website