Isn’t it amazing how our minds take us back to our childhood and youth and we remember the seemingly silliest things. We can remember clearly the things from sixty or more years ago and you may remember the old proverb “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” This old adage seems to be specific to the month of March which is now upon us.
You will probably be delighted that the cold, rainy days of February are behind us for another year and warmer days are on the horizon. If March has roared in like a lion, then we will want to trust that it will go out like a lamb and we can enjoy walks in the warmer air.
This phrase can remind us that Jesus had the attributes of both the lion and the lamb. In the Old Testament there are a number of references to the Lion of Judah. Judah was one of the brothers of Joseph (he of the Technicolor Dreamcoat) and was a forefather of David and much later of Jesus. There are New Testament references to Jesus having the characteristics of a lion, especially when He overturned the tables in the temple and accused the vendors and money changers. In John’s Gospel chapter 2 we read ‘To those who sold doves He said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” Very strong words.
This is the same Jesus who, in the previous chapter, John the Baptist said as he saw Jesus walking toward him “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
This is quite some comparison. A lamb is considered to be one of the most gentle of animals and certainly not the characteristic you would expect when dealing with the temple traders. As Christians we remember Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who died to take away our sins.
Why do we need someone to die in our place? The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We need a saviour to rescue us from the consequences of our wrongdoing. Jesus is our sacrificial lamb who died that we might live. He is a roaring lion who will triumph over the evil of this world, but He is also the lamb who sits on the throne of Heaven and pleads our case before His Heavenly Father.
You may have lived life on this earth a bit like a roaring lion – going your own way without even thinking how this affects your standing before God, but the good news is it isn’t too late. No matter how old we are, no matter how bad we think we have been, Jesus is still waiting for you to come and seek forgiveness. His blood was shed for you and He longs to bring you into His Kingdom.
If you came through life as a lion but realise it’s time to go out like a lamb, why not join us any Sunday? We meet in the Event Room above the Trevi Bar, Camposol B at 11am and we would be delighted to share some of God’s love with you.