Day 9: The Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah

So far we've studied four titles of Jesus: Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, the Word of God, the Lamb of God. Today I've deliberately chosen a title that is in the strongest possible contrast with the title we’ve looked at the last two days, which was title was the Lamb of God. Our title for today is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

What two creatures could be in greater contrast to each other than the lamb and the lion? Yet, Jesus combines both within himself. This illustrates a principle that I've already stated this week. Each title of Jesus reveals some important aspect of his wonderful, many-sided nature.

This title, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is found in the book of Revelation, chapter 5. In this chapter John the revelator describes a scene which he was permitted in vision to witness in heaven. It's a scene of majesty and grandeur. It portrays the very soul of God and this is what John saw there in the place where God's throne stands. Verse 1 and following:

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll? But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.”

This scroll was the revelation of that which lay ahead in human history and destiny up to the close of the present age. And, of course, John longed to know what God was seeking to reveal. But the lesson here is that strength does not prevail to open the scroll. Though it was a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, no one responded, no one was worthy. So John was deeply grieved and he says:

“I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, that's Jesus. He's also the root of David, the one out of whom David received his kingly authority. Now, John looks toward the throne expecting to see this lion but he sees something very different.

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”

You see the deliberate paradox? Jesus is proclaimed as the Lion but when John looks, he sees a slain Lamb. John continues now about the Lamb and the Lion:

“He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

You remember that when we spoke yesterday about the Lamb of God, we pointed out that it was through one Lamb's blood that redemption was provided. The Passover lamb provided temporary redemption. But Jesus, the eternal Son of God, the Lamb of God, provides eternal redemption through his blood.

So you see again the deliberate paradox. The Lamb has become the Lion. Also, in connection with that title, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, notice that this is an eternal picture and an eternal title of Jesus. It's no longer Jesus in His mere humanity but it's a Jesus exalted forever at God's right hand. But, He's still called the Lion of the tribe of Judah.