Did You See A Lion Or A Lamb?

Meditations for Ragamuffins 

July 3, 2023

Did You See A Lion Or A Lamb?

 

“Blessing and honor and glory and power

    belong to the one sitting on the throne

    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

Revelation 5:13b

 

How do you describe the indescribable? The writers of scripture were masters of this art, and I marvel at how they were able to synthesize so many diverse images to help us open our minds and hearts and “lay hold of that for which also we were laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12 NASB). In the Apostle John’s description of Jesus in Revelation 1, he uses at least ten metaphors in five verses to describe Jesus! However, in Chapter five he dials back his rhetoric a bit and uses just two images of Jesus, which I believe are the most compelling in all of scripture. As I try to make my way on this journey of new life in Christ, these two images are my constant traveling companions.

John first sees the Lion: “Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5). But when John turns to look at the Lion, he sees a Lamb: “Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered.” (Revelation 5:6a).

Ok John, in your vision of Jesus, did you see a Lion or a Lamb?

“Yes,” John replies.

So it has been in my life. I have seen miracles, and I have seen God make a way where there had been no way. The One who spoke the universe into being by the power of His Word, the One who parted the sea has most certainly shown Himself strong in my life. I have also had times when I prayed desperately for the Lion to make a way, like the time I prayed for my father as he lay on his hospital bed, and when I looked for the Lion to come and bring healing and wholeness, I saw a Lamb who came and took my father unto himself. This is the part of our faith that seems like utter foolishness to those who do not know God; but to those who love Jesus “it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

My Takeaway: The Lamb was slaughtered and laid in a grave. But he didn’t stay there. “On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven; he is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Because this is true, when the Lamb is our traveling companion, we are just as assured of victory as when we are trailing along behind the Lion, and thus with the whole company of heaven we sing,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—

    to receive power and riches

and wisdom and strength

    and honor and glory and blessing.”

 

“Blessing and honor and glory and power

    belong to the one sitting on the throne

    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

 Revelation 5:12-13 

Sē’lah

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This series of meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.