LION AND LAMB

“Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

When I think of lions, I naturally think of Disney’s The Lion King. You know, the story where King Mufasa of the Pride Lands is killed by his jealous brother, Scar, and Simba, his son, eventually takes his rightful place as king, restoring balance to the Pride Lands. Lions are the second-largest cats in the world, next to tigers, yet they are the loudest, with a roar that can be heard up to five miles away and reach 114 decibels. They are strong, powerful, and fierce, known as the King of the Jungle, even though most of them live in Africa. These animals are fast, with a top speed of 50 miles per hour. They are feared predators. Hardly anyone would dare mess with them. 

When I think of lambs, I think of the nursery rhyme, Mary Had a Little Lamb. Say it with me, “Mary had a little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.” I also picture the painting in the Sunday School classroom at the church I attended as a child, with the shepherd carrying the lamb draped around his neck and shoulders.  Lambs are gentle, meek, and quiet. They are vulnerable, lacking claws and sharp teeth, and are often prey for other larger animals. These animals lack direction and graze in flocks. In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. 

These two animals couldn’t be more different. They represent the furthest extremes of the spectrum. Yet Scripture calls Jesus both the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God. He is the powerful, victorious, reigning King, but also the humble, innocent, willing sacrifice for our sins.

In Genesis 49:8–10, Jacob gives his final blessings to his twelve sons before his death. He promised that a ruler would come from the tribe of Judah. This was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, about 1,700 years after Jacob’s prophecy. Jesus belongs to Judah by birth. Matthew 1:1 reads, “An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:” This genealogical line runs through Judah and proves Jesus’ royal lineage.

Calling Jesus ‘Lion’ showed that He would come to earth as a strong, royal King. He would have supreme authority and ultimate victory. While many people expected Jesus to take on an actual physical king's role for the nation of Israel, that was not Jesus’ mission. In John 18:36, Jesus explains to Pilate that His kingdom is “not of this world.” Unlike earthly monarchs who rule through dominance and wealth, Jesus modeled leadership through humility. Philippians 2:7-8 tells us that Jesus “emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.”

In John 1, John the Baptist refers to Jesus twice as “Lamb of God.” The sacrifice of lambs played a vital role in Jewish religious life and the Old Testament sacrificial system. A flawless, blemish-free lamb was chosen as a substitute sacrifice for the people’s sin. Just as a sacrificial lamb died in place of a sinner, Jesus bore the penalty and wrath for human guilt on the cross. He was a lamb without blemish or defect, having lived a completely sinless life. Jesus was God’s plan of redemption all along. 

In Revelation 5, angels, living creatures, and elders gather around the throne, singing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” The Book of Revelation establishes that Jesus has absolute authority over all creation, history, and the spiritual realm. We know He will someday return, establish a new heaven and earth, and dwell with His people again. 

The Lamb was slain for our sin, but the Lion won the victory over sin through His death and resurrection and reigns in power. 

Call to Action

-Listen to the song, “Lion and the Lamb” by Bethel Music and worship Jesus for being the Lion and the Lamb. Here are the lyrics to the chorus:

Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah

He's roaring with power and fighting our battles

And every knee will bow before Him

Our God is the Lamb, the Lamb that was slain

For the sins of the world, His blood breaks the chains

And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb

Every knee will bow before Him

-Which is easier for you—to stand boldly for truth like a lion or to respond with humility and gentleness like a lamb? Why? Why are both of these important in our faith journey?

Digging Deeper

Check out these additional Scripture passages: Genesis 49:9–10, Numbers 24:9, Isaiah 11:1–2, Isaiah 53:7, Psalm 72:12–14, Hosea 11:10, John 1:36, Hebrews 7:14, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:5,12. 

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for coming to earth, humbling yourself, and becoming the sacrificial Lamb for my sins and those of the world. Thank you for overcoming death and the grave to reign victorious as King, with all authority and power forever. Help me to stand boldly for You and Your truth and live a life of humility at the same time.

Sources for lion facts:

https://www.ifaw.org/international/journal/facts-about-lions

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/10-lion-facts/

Copyright © 2026 Kyle Cravens