December 26 - The Lion and the Lamb
The Messiah is to be the Lion of the tribe of Judah, but He is also the Lamb of God. How can two very different qualities be combined in one person? To be kingly is to have power and authority to rule, to be a servant is to serve the interest and need of others. Jesus, the Lamb of God gave of Himself to redeem the world, but at the same time, He is the coming King to rule over the whole earth.
Zechariah prophesied that one day the Servant-King is going to come to Zion. The inhabitants of Jerusalem will shout for joy for their King is coming to them. He is righteous and having salvation. However, this King is humble and mounted not on a horse but on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. This King is going to exercise His kingly power to cut off the chariot and warhorse and the battle bow. Instead he shall speak peace to the nations. His rule shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
In the Book of Revelation, the ten kings are going to receive power and authority as kings for one hour. They are of one mind and hand over the power and authority to the beast and make war on the Lamb who is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with Him are called and chosen and faithful. Once again, the Lamb is the Lion, the King of kings and Lord of lords. However, He chooses to be humble and gentle despite of His great power and authority. The use of His power is to rule, to bring peace and to help and heal. This is the right use of power and authority vested in us, not to lord over others but to seek the welfare of others. Power is given to bless, not to control.
The psalmist also portrays a picture of this Servant King. He is using His power to gather up the outcasts of Israel, to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. He numbers the stars and has great power with great understanding, but He lifts up the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. He gives rain to the earth, He makes the grass grow on the hills and gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor His pleasure in the legs of a man but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.
As we are looking for His coming as King over the earth, to establish the Millennial Kingdom, let us partake from Him the characteristics of the Lion and the Lamb. May we be strong and bold to bring about His rule over the world but at the same time be gentle, humble and serving towards others that needed Jesus. Many of us desire to have power and authority but very few of us are willing to serve others and to become servants to all. Let us take on this dual role as lion and lamb.
Ps 147:1-11 Zech 9:1-17 Rev 17:1-18 Prov 30:32