Musing on a Lion and a Lamb

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They call him The King of Beasts. His rippling musculature and regal bearing attract the attention and admiration of many people towards the lion. Those who live in regions lions inhabit also respect and fear them.

These animals are well equipped for both defence and attack, with powerful jaws, strong eyeteeth fangs, sharp retractable claws, and great strength. A magnificent mane further contributes towards an adult male’s kingly appearance.

My experience with live lions has been at the safe distance afforded by security barriers in places such as zoos and safari parks.

When growing up in the UK I enjoyed having Lyle’s Golden Syrup® spread on toast. Its sturdy metal container continues to display a picture of a dead lion with bees flying in and out of its decaying carcase, in which they’d constructed a honeycomb. A caption reads, “Out of the strong came forth sweetness.”  

Tate & Lyle®

Samson, an Old Testament hero and judge, while travelling one day, encountered a lion and killed it. Some time after, when passing the rotting carcase, he noticed that a swarm of bees had constructed a honeycomb inside it, laden with honey. He took some and ate it, then later posed this riddle for his friends and invited them to explain it, offering a prize for whoever might solve it: “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness” (Judges 14:14 JKV).

Here’s a more poetic version: “Out of the eater came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet” (NRSV). If any of Samson’s friends had seen that carcase and noticed the bees and honey, they might have guessed the answer; however, none did.

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Good Friday services don’t normally focus on a lion, but on a lamb, suggestive of gentleness and innocence – The Lamb of God. Jesus Christ, Son of God – the world’s one absolutely innocent man, offering Himself up to God as the perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sin.

Therefore, on Good Friday we consider Jesus’ betrayal, His unjust trials and condemnation and rejection. He willingly submitted Himself to whipping, beatings and the agonies of death by crucifixion amidst the indignities of public nakedness on a Roman cross. His sacrifice was supreme, final and all-sufficient. He permitted Himself to be led “like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7).

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Revelation, the last book of the Bible, frequently represents Him as The Lamb (e.g. Rev. 5:6), but presents Him also as The Lion: “. . . See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . has triumphed” (Rev. 5:5)! The commanding power and force associated with the lion reflect the character and accomplishment of Christ.

And so, Easter Sunday’s celebration of His resurrection and victory over sin, death, hell and the grave, honours our conquering Saviour, who is “King of kings and Lord of Lords” (cf. Revelation: 19:16).

Jesus’ meekness was not weakness. His meekness or gentleness was strength under control. I pray that we each experience the sweetness of God’s amazing grace and strength through embracing Jesus as the rightful King of our lives – our Living and Loving Lord.

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Peter A. Black is a retired pastor – well, sort of retired – and lives in Southwestern Ontario. He writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column, P-Pep! and is author of Raise Your Gaze ... Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart, and Parables from the Pond – a children's / family book. ~~+~~

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