May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You!
May those who love Your salvation say evermore, God is great!”
Psalm 70:4 (ESV)
Series: His Name is Jesus
Some of my favorite memories live in the quiet moments walking hand in hand with my daughters through the Brookfield Zoo. I treasure the experiences of seeing the wonder of those magnificent animals through their eyes. The laughter, the curiosity, and the excitement as we moved from exhibit to exhibit never grew dull in all our visits there.
Without fail we would venture upon the big cat habitat hoping to come face to face with the mighty lion through the glass window at its enclosure. Whether we found a sleeping or a roaring lion, it was always a breathtaking view of such a majestic creature. It is no wonder the lion has become known as the “King of the Jungle.”
Many civilizations view lions as symbols of royalty, courage, strength, and authority. When we look in the scriptures, we find passages pointing to the lion as an example of steadfast dignity and unyielding courage as we find here in Proverbs 30:29-30 (NKJV):
There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk: A lion, which is mighty among beasts
And does not turn away from any;
And while these verses point to God’s strength and power, others use the lion to depict the schemes of the devil, as in 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV):
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The Bible uses lion imagery for two completely opposing figures: the adversary (Satan) who is a destructive predator, and the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, who is the victorious and righteous King. Reading these different depictions could leave us wondering whether we should fear or revere the lion. But there is an apparent difference. Satan may hold power to roar and tempt, but he does not hold the power and authority given to Jesus. Yes, Satan is like a roaring lion. He is loud, bold, and puts us on guard, but ultimately we choose whether to walk into his clutches or look to Jesus for protection. Satan’s roar is useless without our participation. Friends, stand firm in faith. Your enemy is defeated in the mighty name of Jesus.
Over the past few weeks, we have called Jesus, Teacher, Refuge, Lamb of God, and King of kings! Every name of Jesus is significant in Scripture. Every name points to His character and allows us to know Him more deeply. But understanding that Jesus is The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is vital to a believer. This name signifies a complete picture of His royal authority, fulfillment of Scripture, and His ultimate victory over sin and death. It is in this name of Jesus we find genuine hope for eternity with God!
In Genesis 49:8-10 (NIV) we read this prophetic blessing spoken by Jacob:
“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.”
Then fulfillment of this truth is revealed to John in Revelation 5:5 (NKJV):
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
This passage establishes that Jesus Christ will come again as the ultimate, authoritative ruler who alone possesses the moral and legal right to execute God’s final plans, judgment, and redemption for the world. Descendent of the Royal line of King David and named The Lion of the tribe of Judah—Jesus—forever reigns, unmatched in strength, courage, majesty, and fierce defense of His own. Jesus is the name above every name, and His roar will have the final word. Hallelujah! Amen!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Psalm 70:4; Proverbs 30:29-30; 1 Peter 5:7; Genesis 49:8-10; Revelation 5:5