Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

The Lion and the Lamb
Revelation 5: 1-6

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders”.  Rev. 5.:6
As we read this chapter carefully, verses 5 and 6 capture our attention rather quickly, because of the combination two metaphors, which is very unusual in writing.  Jesus is described as both Lion and Lamb. Unlike Lion, the familiar reference of Lamb is found throughout the Bible. Reference to Lion is found in Genesis 49, where Jacob says his son Judah is a lion-cub; returns from the prey; sits down at the right hand of God?” Evidently, the elder who came to John’s aid refers to this Lion. John turned and saw the Lamb instead of Lion on the throne. Is the Lamb really the Lion? 
Lamb represents love, obedience, …….. and purity; worthy of sin offering, and we can easily relate this to Jesus. However, when we think of Jesus as a Lion, perhaps an image of His second coming comes to our mind. So the question is – had Jesus ever revealed lion’s characters? Was He the Lion in the visage of the Lamb? Was He both the Lion and the Lamb? It is paradoxical, but the greatest err with a deadly consequence is accepting part of the truth and ignore the rest. We always like to experience the qualities of the Lamb in God, and confine God within the walls of what we like to experience. One thing we should remember is that our likes and dislikes would not change God’s attributes.
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed three times for the removal of the cup filled with deceit, betrayal ………… rejection by man and God, being nailed to the cross, and being made sin. We see the frailty of a lamb, the humanity of Jesus, which in fact uncovered OUR utter helplessness in adversities. How did heaven answer? All we read is that an angel came and strengthened Him, but how do we translate it? Since the Father is about to turn His face, we cannot interpret this with our usual consolatory phrase “don’t worry I am here for you.”  But I think heaven reminded Him “You are the Lion of Judah, Root of David; You have an enemy to destroy and a Kingdom to take back.”  Afterwards, it was the Lion who returned to the sleeping disciples roaring “Enough!” (Mk14v41) of the slumber; and “Rise!”(Mk14v42) “ Let us go.” When a lion preys, nothing will come between the prey and the predator; neither the sleeping disciples nor the cross! He was a Lamb to accept the Father’s will; He was also a Lion to face the ferocity of the cross. He is the Lion and the Lamb. Through John’s revelation, God also gives us a glimpse of New Jerusalem, where Lion and the Lamb cohabit; peace and harmony reign. But the biggest question is this – who will we face in the judgment day, the Lion or the Lamb?

Lord of creation, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, help us to know you more and more as You consummate our salvation. Amen. 
 Saju Alex, St Thomas MTC, NY








Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more