Not sure about you but when I think about a ‘lion’ I think about Jesus because after all, Jesus is refereed to as the ‘Lion of Judah’ in God’s Word. And of course, C.S. Lewis only helps to solidify this imagery through his children's book series, The Chronicles of Narnia where he depicts Jesus as a the Lion named Aslan.
But there is another character also depicted as a lion in the Scriptures… Satan, the Devil, Lucifer… he also is portrayed as a lion.
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Jesus as a lion… Satan as a lion… how do we even begin to wrap our heads around these two images? Is Jesus the greater and more magnificent and powerful Lion? Well, yes, of course. But I’m not sure that’s the point of the imagery before us.
Very specifically, when Peter warns the church of a great enemy that is seeking to destroy ALL followers of Jesus, he of course uses the most powerful animal in the animal kingdom to convey his message.
Not sure about you, but I would not mess with a lion. I would not try to pet him, feed him, or snuggle up with him. If I see a lion coming towards me, I’m running as fast as my 51 year-old legs will move away from the lion… wouldn’t you do the same?
Ever feed a stay cat? If yes, guess what? Well, you know what… that stray cat will quickly become your cat because a stray cat will move in with anyone who will feed it. Sin and Satan operate like this. Entertain sin, no matter what that sin is, and there’s a lion nearby just waiting to feast. Powerful imagery I realize, but this is the imagery the Bible uses… that of a hungry lion looking for someone to devour and destroy.
But let’s not forget this truth either… if you refuse to feed a stray cat, you know what happens with that cat? The miniature lion will move on looking for someone else who’s feeding on his favorite food… sin.
Rather than feast on sinful things, let’s spur one another on to feast on the things of Jesus. Feast on the truths of who He is and the promises and declarations He makes over your life. I leave you with this one truth to feast on… and this time, the imagery is that of another animal that is super powerful.
“Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because He is LORD of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”
Revelation 17:14 (NLT)
Not sure I’d think of going to war with a ‘Lamb’ leading the way, but when Jesus is the Lamb… LET’S GO!
Let’s keep fighting the good fight of faith friend. You are NOT alone… we are together and we have a Lion and Lamb leading, guiding, providing and protecting us along the way.
