“… your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah.” Genesis 49:8b-9a (Read Genesis 49:8-12, NIV)

 

You receive a completely used notebook, thoroughly sealed with a message: “This book is about the future, and only a person deemed worthy is allowed to open this book with its seven seals and read the contents.” A number of people try to do so – without success, including you. What a shock and disappointment – your tears stand as testimony of this truth. And then someone steps forward and declares, “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 5:5)

 

A lion is the symbol of power and victory, and signifies dominion. (Genesis 49:9-10) King David’s kingdom stands as a monument to this truth, and has contributed immensely to the persistent expectation of the coming of the Messiah who would establish his eternal kingdom on earth. A kingdom that can never be overthrown because its King is the eternal “Lion of Judah”.

 

Christ Jesus, the Messiah, established this outstanding, invincible, eternal kingdom when he came to earth by the authority of his Father to make his home and live amongst broken people. His mandate gave him full authority to establish and expand his Father’s kingdom on earth: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18-19)

 

The Lion of Judah measured up to this mandate in the finest detail. With love, he drew the poor and the outcast into the inner circle; he cast out tormenting evil spirits and sent them back to where they came from. He gave sight to the blind, spent quality time with children, raised the dead, and boldly shared the good news with religious and sinners alike. He roared down the year of the Lord’s favour like a lion. But the best news ever – the year of the Lord’s favour has not come to an end yet!

 

Yes, indeed, as the Lamb of God, he had to die on a cross to redeem us by the shedding of his blood. But no power or authority could keep the Lion of Judah enchained in Hades. He overcame death; his tomb is empty! As the Lion of Judah, he rules in the hearts of believers that acknowledge him as the Lamb who was slain for us for all eternity.

 

To him, “All authority in heaven and on earth ...” was given. (Matthew 28:18) And one day, every enemy will have to bow before him, the Lion of Judah, the One to whom all power and authority had been given, and they will proclaim that he alone is Lord!

 

Prayer: Father, thank you for the Lion and the Lamb. Thank you for your power and authority. Thank you that everyday people may be part of the fruit of your sacrifice. Enable me to live my life in reverence and in awe of you. Amen