Who is Jesus?

“…Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed…” (Revelation 5:5).

I think it’s so amazing how God puts everything together, even when you don’t expect it. I began writing this blog yesterday. Then, the very first song we sang at church this morning spoke about Jesus as the Lion of Judah, and they had a lion’s face on the projector screen with the lyrics. It was a beautiful confirmation that God’s still calling me to write this blog because I do often wonder if it’s reaching anyone or bringing anyone closer to Him besides me.

My last blog covered Jesus as the Lamb of God, and really that’s how He is often portrayed, and rightly so. As John the Baptist was getting ready to baptize Jesus, he declared Him the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). While Jesus most certainly has that tender, gentle, sacrificing side (Praise the Lord!), we cannot discredit a completely opposite description of Him found in the Bible—the Lion of Judah.

When you think about a lion several words may come to mind—majestic, fierce, regal, powerful, strong, mighty, watchful, patient, etc. If you know Jesus, then you know He is all these things and more.

When we look back in scripture, we discover the significance of the tribe of Judah. Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, the sons whose families formed the twelve tribes of Israel. The Lion of Judah is in reference to the tribe of Judah and the lineage of Christ.

Jesus was a descendant of Judah, along with others such as Ruth’s husband Boaz, King David, King Solomon…trickling all the way down to Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. You can read the full genealogy from Abraham to Jesus in Matthew 1.

In Genesis 49, Jacob prophesied to his twelve sons calling them together and telling them what would happen to each of them in the days to come. When he spoke to his son Judah, this is what he said:

“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 belongsshall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk,” (Genesis 49:8-12).

These verses are reference to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the king who would descend from Judah’s lineage and gain victory over the world. This lion could only be one person, Jesus himself, God in human form. Everything that Jacob told Judah came true through Jesus’ life, death on the cross, and His rising from the dead conquering death. It gives us hope and confidence in the One who is our ultimate deliverer, Jesus, the Lion of Judah.

C.S. Lewis, the famous British author, scholar, and professor of English literature, mirrored Christ’s identity as the sovereign king of the world in the form of a lion named Aslan in his beloved book series Chronicles of Narnia. Even more interesting is that Lewis had once been an avid atheist, but his inquiring mind lead him on a journey where he studied the Bible and God which brought him into a relationship with Christ. He was vocal about his faith and expressed it in his writing as well. It’s just another amazing example of how God can use anyone to further His kingdom. He comes for the lost sinners and gives them a new life in Him. “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” (Luke 5:32). Hallelujah!

So, how does this relate to us? For one thing, it’s reassuring to know that we don’t have to fight every battle in our own strength. We serve a mighty God who has already won the greatest victory over death and the grave. There is no power greater than Jesus!

Additionally, we all go through seasons of life when we feel vulnerable. We may face criticism, rejection, betrayal, or circumstances that seem completely beyond our control. We may even wonder if anyone sees the struggles we are going through, but know that God sees every tear, hears every prayer, and knows every burden we carry. We can find refuge in Jesus. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart,” (Psalm 91:4).

Sometimes we feel like we must be strong for everyone around us, even when we are running low on strength ourselves. There are times when we find ourselves facing battles that we could never win alone. We also carry so many responsibilities on our shoulders. They can leave us feeling weary, overwhelmed, or uncertain. We navigate difficult relationships, face disappointments, and fight battles that others may never even see. I’m in such a time right now, but I know God is for me and He will have the victory and help me overcome, just as He always does. I just need to follow His lead and be obedient to His commands and His timing in this.

Jesus is not a weak or powerless Savior, and it’s so comforting knowing that the One who loves us is also the One who fights for us. The Lion of Judah is not intimidated by the things that intimidate us. When fear tries to take hold of our hearts, we can remember that our Savior is stronger than anything we will ever face. When life feels uncertain, He remains in control. When we feel weak, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me,” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We don’t have to pretend to be fearless. We simply need to remember who stands beside us. Jesus is the great authority, mighty and victorious over all things in Heaven and on earth. While He gently holds our hearts in His hands, He also has the power to defeat every enemy that stands against us. The Lion of Judah, indeed!

Jesus is both our mighty defender and our loving refuge. He doesn’t promise that we will never experience hardship, but He promises that we will never have to walk through it alone. I couldn’t imagine getting through the past three years without Jesus by my side. I couldn’t have done it without the Lion fighting for me every step of the way. He’s still fighting for me even through the struggles I’m facing now, and I am so grateful.

Like two sides to one coin, we can recognize Jesus as the Lamb who sacrificed Himself for us and as the Lion who conquers. His victory didn’t come through earthly power or force. It came through His incredible love and sacrifice on the cross. Jesus defeated sin and death so that we could have eternal life. The cross was not the end of His story. The empty tomb declared His victory! Because of Him, we don’t have to live defeated by our past, defined by our failures, or controlled by our fears.

Ladies, we need to remember whose we are. We are daughters of the King of Kings. We don’t have to live intimidated by the world around us or allow fear to dictate our decisions or rely on others to determine our worth. We are royalty, and we are precious to our King. “You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God,” (Isaiah 62:3).

When you feel discouraged, when you feel like giving up, when you face something that seems too big for you, remember the Lion of Judah…that we serve a Savior who is both powerful and personal. He is not distant from our struggles. He is present in our pain, faithful in our waiting, and victorious over the things that seem impossible.

Our Savior is mighty enough to fight our battles, faithful enough to keep His promises, and loving enough to lay down His life for us. The same Jesus who conquered the grave is the One who walks with you today. You may not always feel strong, but you belong to the One who is. Therefore, walk with confidence, not because you have everything figured out, but because you know the One who holds your future.

In the song God’s Not Dead by the Newsboys, they boldly proclaim, “My God’s not dead. He’s surely alive. He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion.”

Jesus is alive, and His spirit resides inside those who have answered His call of salvation. So, the next time life makes you feel small, remember that your God is not small; He is mighty. When fear whispers that you cannot make it through, remember that your Savior has already overcome the world.

Stand firm. Lift your head, strengthen your faith, and trust the King who reigns forever. The Lion of Judah is still on the throne, and there is no battle too great for Him!

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

“Pride of Zion, prophets spoke. Our Messiah, flesh and bone. You alone are worthy to open up the Scroll. Like the lamb, You suffered, but the Lion has a roar. Hail, hail Lion of Judah! Let the Lion roar!” (Lyrics from LION by Elevation Worship featuring Chris Brown and Brandon Lake)

Have a blessed week!

-Becky