Musing on a Lion and a Lamb

Credit: Pngtree.jpg

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).

Credit: mom.me

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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Millie Moments

My first post of the current year in January was a modified edition of my newspaper column article of the same week, titled "The Millie Way." It featured Millie, a remarkable lady in her late nineties. This contented soul lives alone in the thick of a rural wooded area with only basic amenities, yet faces life day by day with confidence and faith.

Cottage among trees, but not Millie's

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I’d heard much about her, but she and I hadn’t actually met. Now that has changed. And so, with Canada Day behind us on this 150th Birthday year I’ll share  these “Millie Moments” with you now that we’ve stepped into the second half of this signal year. Canada was fifty-two years young when she made her appearance.

My much anticipated meeting with her finally came several weeks ago. It was a quiet affair; just she and I in that humble, though embracing, abode that is itself embraced by the towering friendship and protection of the surrounding family of trees.

[Not Millie's Peach] freeimage.

Oh, but I mustn’t forget Millie’s constant companion, Peach – her beautiful orange cat. This seasoned creature in cat years is more than equal to this lady’s own great age of almost ninety-nine. Peach stole over and checked me out – quite amicably, I thought – then ambled off to the comfortable familiarity of Millie’s lap where she purred away contentedly.

And so what did Millie and I do? What did we talk about? First of all was a little bit of fact-checking, since up to this point all my information about her was second-hand and had depended on the reliability of that information but more so on my memory – which, these days all too often lets me down.

I’d written that her son checks in on her from time to time. However, I learned that her son and daughter and her husband had all passed away. I learned, in fact, that it is a nephew living within a short drive who calls by. Other extended family members also do, on occasion. They ensure she has necessary supplies.

Her sight isn’t sharp enough now to read, and so I read that article to her. Since her hearing isn’t quite as acute as it used to be I spoke up and enunciated the words. She listened intently, and graciously accepted my humble efforts to encapsulate and present elements of her story, and she seemed unperturbed by her life’s being opened up to you and others, in this way. 

Millie knows God as a daily reality in her life. She’s no stranger to serious illness, and surgeries have come her way, while currently facial cancers present a concern. However, despite hardships and though bereaved of her nearest and dearest, she continues to trust Him. As I sat in her presence I felt blessed by a gentle serenity.

Before leaving, I read several verses from her Bible, gently took her hand in mine and prayed briefly. Was there anything I could do for her before leaving? No, she was just fine. A parting greeting and a hug, then I was on my way driving down that winding path in the woods with heaven in my heart.

I mused:

If only the whole world could enjoy such treasured moments,

perhaps even wars might cease.

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P.S. I have one regret: I hadn’t thought to take a snapshot or two during my visit.

A blessed, fulfilling and happy CANADA 150 to you!

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Peter A. Black is a retired pastor  -  well, sort of  -  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. ~~+~~