The Lion-like Nature of Jesus
Message by Pastor John Morgan
Concept and reality are two different things. Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Jesus then asked "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." After Simon Peter replied, Jesus said that flesh and blood had not revealed this to Peter, but God in heaven did. Jesus then gave Simon the name Peter, calling him the rock that he would build his church upon.
We see the popular acronym W.W.J.D which stands for "What would Jesus do?" It actually depends on what we think he would do. We hold opinions of who Jesus is and what Jesus would do in certain situations. In the same way, people hold opinions of Christians, and how they should behave. Throughout the texts of the Bible, God is constantly trying to reveal himself to us. God wants us to know the true nature of who we should be.
The LION represents the nature of Jesus Christ. The LAMB represents the role that Jesus took when he carried the toll for our sins. In John 2:13, Jesus displayed the passion of a lion when he made a whip and drove the money lenders from the Temple. This is the level of strength and courage that God has empowered us to have. Jesus took on the role of the lamb when he was crucified on the cross. Jesus allowed himself to serve as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus lived as a lion, but the lion became the lamb for a moment so that we could have heaven for eternity. The lion (Jesus) became the lamb so that sheep (humanity) could live like lions!
Characteristics of the Lion vs. the Lamb:
Lions roar; while lamb bleat
Lions prowl; while lamb frolic aimlessly
Lions lead; while lambs live to be led
Life can sometimes beat our dreams out of us if we allow it. We can't forget the invincibility and fearlessness that we lived with in our youth. We have to become immune to the sheep-like nature of the world, and take on the lion-like nature of Jesus! We have to find that hunger and passion that fuels our desires to live life filled with purpose.
PRAYER:
God I thank you for your son Jesus Christ. I thank you for making the perfect sacrifice so that I can live a life free of the bondage of sin. I pray that I may fully take on that lion-like nature that Jesus displayed. Lord I pray that I may live a life of passion and purpose without fear. I thank you for empowering me to do great things, in Jesus' name. Amen.