THE LION AND THE LAMB

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  06/23/23

Read Philippians 2:5-11.

Those who only see Jesus as the gentle Lamb of God forget that He is also the fierce Lion of Judah. When Jesus said, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29), He did not mean that He is soft, timid, or weak. Rather, He is power under control.

Christ’s humility reveals much about His matchless power and extravagant love. When He took on flesh, Jesus restrained His power—power that can create from nothing and utterly undo everything—choosing instead mercy and grace. When tempted, He remained without sin. When spat upon, He did not retaliate. Knowing His disciples would forsake Him, He washed their feet. What takes more power than to leave the glory of heaven and come to earth to save and serve undeserving sinners?

Don’t misunderstand: Jesus also had moments where He expressed righteous anger. He rebuked the Pharisees for their legalism. He overturned the tables of those who had turned His Father’s house into a marketplace. Whenever we see Jesus respond in anger, it is always righteous, always appropriate.

Jesus is not a passive teacher, a detached guru, or a peace-loving hippie. In Revelation 1:12-18, we read that the glorified Christ has eyes of blazing fire, feet of bronze, a voice like rushing waters, a face like the sun, and a sword coming out of His mouth! This image made the apostle John fall at His feet as though dead—and it should fill us with awe and wonder that such a great and holy God would give His life for us.

Prayer: Lord, You are the lion and the lamb, holy and humble, just and merciful. Thank You that You care for me—that You exert Your power for my good out of Your grace. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“. . . he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, . . . Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, . . .” (Philippians 2:7a, 9).