Christmas Devotion (Day 23): Lion of Judah

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." 
-- Revelation 5:4-5

Only once in the New Testament is Jesus described as a lion. The book of Revelation (named in part for what it reveals about Christ) portrays the risen Jesus as the only one worthy to open the scroll that contains the ultimate unfolding of God's purposes for the world. The apostle John perceived Jesus as both Lion and Lamb, who through his death and resurrection becomes the ultimate victor and conqueror. When you pray to Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, you are praying to the One with the power to banish all fear, to the One who watches over you with His fierce protecting love. You are also praying to the One who is judge of the living and the dead.

The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem;
the earth and the sky will tremble.
But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
-- Joel 3:16

The Gospels tell us that Jesus cried out just before His death. John's Gospel supplies the words: "It is finished!" These are not the last gasping words of a dying man. No, the Gospels say that Jesus cried out in a loud voice and then gave up His Spirit! It was a shout of triumph, the raised fist of victory! Jesus had gone willingly to the cross, fulfilling every detail of the mission the Father had given Him. Having won the struggle for our souls, it was as though the great Lion of Judah had roared from the cross itself.

No wonder the earth shook, the curtain of the temple ripped apart, and people rose up from their graves! Jesus, the conquering Lion of Judah, could neither be caged nor killed. Through His victory He has made a way for sin to be forgiven, for death's power to be rolled backward. By dying Christ shows us the lengths to which God's love will go. By rising He shows us the heights to which God's power will stretch.

The cry of Jesus on the cross still reverberates, still heralds the news of what God has done for us. As believers we need to reshape our lives toward that victory, even when we feel defeated. We need to remember that no matter what or who is against us, God is still for us. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is reigning from His throne, protecting us, purifying us, and using even the worst of circumstances to our advantage.

Today as we consider what Jesus has done, let us lift our voices in praise of the One who humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Let us remember that God has exalted Him to the highest place of all and given Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Discuss: Why do you think the book of Revelation portrays Jesus as both Lion and Lamb?

Prayer: Jesus, You are the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Thank you for Your fierce love and Your strong protecting power. Come with Your might and rule over us. Defeat your enemies and ours, extending Your reign throughout the universe. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Songs: Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin, A King Like This by Chris Tomlin

Devotions come from Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler