Lion & Lamb

Lion

Sometimes we forget

That Jesus is Lion

As well as Lamb.

While He is

Gentle, tender, kind,

He is also

Wild, fierce, confrontational.

He loves us enough

To shake us out of our

Complacent slumber,

And will roar in our faces

If need be.

Lamb

Sometimes we forget

That Jesus is Lamb

As well as Lion.

Though He is a

Mighty, conquering King,

He is ultimately Love.

He never condemns,

Doesn’t keep score.

He woos us with a patient Love,

In hopes that we will someday

Love Him in return.

Story Behind the Poem: I wrote these simple poems as I was pondering the fact that Jesus doesn't fit inside any mental box we might try to place Him in. This is both a wonderful and frightening realization. Our King is gentle and fierce, unimposing and bold, peaceful and disruptive, playful and solemn, gracious and just, a God of freedom and order, and the list goes on and on. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Susan and Lucy are playing with Aslan the lion after they discover he has come back to life (I apologize for the spoiler if you haven't read the book):

"It was such a romp as no one has ever had except in Narnia; and whether it was more like playing with a thunderstorm or playing with a kitten Lucy could never make up her mind."

Speaking of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, here is another one of my favorite quotes about Aslan from that book:

"Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

Finally, here are some Bible verses about the "Lion" and "Lamb" aspects of God's nature:

"God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing...He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundary between day and night. The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at His rebuke...These are just the beginning of all he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?"

- Job 26: 7, 10-11, 14 (New Living Translation)

"He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart."

- Isaiah 40:11 (New Living Translation)