The Lion And The Lamb
THE LION AND THE LAMB
Man of sorrows what a name…..
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah what a Saviour…..
Funny enough, it was a political podcast I was listening to when I first noticed the picture. A rather well known figure sat at his desk passionately speaking about American politics. He was desperately and earnestly endeavouring to engage his audience and convince them of his viewpoint, however, the camera seemed to zoom in on the picture that was behind the gentlemans head, hanging on the wall. To be honest, I was unable to take my eyes off it. The volume of this mans speech quickly became mere noise compared to the paradox conveyed in the picture behind him.
At the front of the picture was a great lions head with a thick flowing mane. Strength and majesty seemed to ooze from the very ink it was drawn with. I was captivated. Immediately my imagination went wild! I began to imagine myself climbing on the back of this magnificent creature and roaring through any and every battle defeating all enemies of light and goodness. The thought was thrilling. Victory would be inevitable, arousing feelings of confidence and strength along with the thrill of conquest. My imagination soared as this creature emanated not only strength, but there was goodness and majesty and justice and compassion depicted in those eyes. With my arms wrapped tightly around His neck I felt assured of safety. Security. Peace, and well being. Oddly, those eyes seemed to gaze back at me, with a sense of both knowing, and being known. In the moment it was all very thrilling and moving indeed.
My thoughts were interrupted. However, I’ve learned to recognize that voice. He asked a question. A question that took my eyes off the lion to the picture behind Him. The two almost blended together as one, yet there was no denying the huge span between them. The man behind the great Lion was Jesus. At least, the version of Jesus we have seen pictures of since we were children. This picture however, emanated something entirely different. The eyes were beautiful but almost sad. They were just as compelling as the Lions and I felt myself melt into their warmth. Though it was difficult to leave the depths in those eyes, I was drawn upward. My eyes went to His head. It was encircled with a large crown. It was not a crown befitting of the majestic lion. But rather, It was a crown of thorns. Large ones. Ugly ones. Sharp and penetrating and looking painful beyond imagination. But, it was the question that began to captivate my thoughts as that familiar yet still small voice spoke again. ‘Heather’, He said. ‘Do you see those thorns’? It was hard to answer because I was no longer filled with the thrill of victory, but the sadness and inexpressible grief that the picture emanated. But, He continued. Words penetrating my soul as He gently whispered ‘could you embrace those wounds’? ‘Could you so eagerly cling to my crown and the pain of my bleeding brow as you did in your desire for the all consuming majesty of the lion’? ‘Could you hold so tightly to the gaping wounds of those razor sharp thorns, or, would you walk away, running instead to the thrill of victory and assurance of control promised in the glory of the lion’? I couldn’t answer. In fact I didn’t want to answer. The question consumed me for days. Long after the passionate political speech was done, my heart continued to grapple with His question.
It was a fair question and the right one to ask. In the moment I had wanted to ignore the gentle probing. To ride away in glorious victory, feeling almost giddy as I rode the storm on the lion’s magnificent shoulders. It was easier there to pretend I had never heard His voice. But, in doing so I would never find the answer. There was really only one obvious answer. The correct, put a star on your Sunday school chart answer. However, I’m sure it wasn’t the obvious He was looking for. He wanted the truth. Not for His benefit, but for mine. And, hopefully, yours.
I lifted my eyes back to the picture and the two became One. The glorious victor and the suffering lamb. They melded together as the great mane seemed to overshadow the bleeding wounds, and the thorns made their way to the brow of the lion. One. The victor, and the sacrifice. The lion, and the lamb. Not separated, but, eternally forever the same.
The question then becomes the very paradox of our faith. That indeed, our all conquering Saviour, IS the majestic Lion AND the very Lamb led to the slaughter. His brow glistening with the blood of sacrifice yet emanating power, strength and victory. Yet, for so many we choose the One while shunning the other. What attraction is there in suffering? Turn the channel to most televangelists and won’t they agree? Ours is to be a life of blessing, of victory, prosperity and pleasantness. Thorns are for Easter. Suffering is for the faithless. Didn’t Isaiah himself tell us that He had no beauty that we should desire Him and we turned our eyes away?
Since I can remember, I have loved Paul’s writings. I don’t think our personalities are anything alike. He’s seems much too stern for my fun loving yet sensitive nature. But the poetry, pure brilliance of emotion and depth of theology have me returning to his epistles over and over. Let me quote what has become both my life’s story and longing.
‘But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in His death’. (Philippians 3:7-11)
Unfortunately, we live in a time where many cry out as they did on Palm Sunday. ‘Hosanna‘! ‘Come save us’! Let the lion of Judah roar as he breaks every chain, defeats every enemy and reforms every human kingdom, wanting only part of this beautiful paradox. Give us resurrection power and the thrill of immediate battles won! However, I guess we aren’t too abnormal. Gethsemane was a tough place even for those who hadn’t left His side in over 3 years of living and journeying together. They could not walk in. The lamb was left alone with no embrace.
The question however remains for you, and for me. Will we, can we, embrace those beautiful thorns? The thorns we did not have to wear. The thorns worn for us. Will you walk with Him from the suffering of the garden to the victory of the empty tomb? Will you embrace those times of suffering and hardship knowing that we will indeed know victory as the LION still roars while the WOUNDS still work.
Our arms can indeed embrace our wounded Saviour and our conquering King. That is a choice we daily make. And. I believe one day we will gaze upon those scars and see not just the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, but, that mighty Lion The One who roars and death and darkness and tears and pain run at the volume of His sound. Darkness will vanish as the penetrating light from His eyes reigns supreme.
For now Jesus, and until then, I will embrace you. All of you. The Lion and the Lamb. My Lion. My lamb. And, until then, I hope all of you will join me as we His church loudly proclaim…..
“Man of Sorrows,” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full redemption—can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
To His kingdom us to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Hallelujah! what a Saviour