The Lion in The Lamb

I was working in the schools a couple of weeks ago when the teacher I was helping read this book to the kids in class.  I came home and told the story to my kids, who of course loved it and laughed out loud.  Well, during my sermon preparation this week the story came back to my mind.  And the Internet being what it is, I discovered that Disney had made a film in 1952 of the same story, not told (I might add) as well as the teacher did in class, but the lesson at the end is worthwhile.

The teacher had chosen the story because kids can be so cruel to anyone who is the slightest bit different.  Making other kids the butt of their jokes, saying mean things, excluding them from games, etc. etc.  It was a good reminder to the kids in her class that it will be ok if they’re a bit different, and a good word to those who might be promoting the hostility.  But I walked away with another theme that had been highlighted in some the events going on in our local church presently.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves…”  And this is true because as Christians we are called to be meek and gentle, but this excludes another aspect that Christ portrays – the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  So in the heart of the Lamb of God is a Lion that when roused can be very frightening and effective against the wolves.  We read Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-29, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”

God has a funny way of setting up traps for the enemy.  Think of Pharaoh drawn into the Red Sea, or Gideon’s “mighty” army of 300.  In each instance, just like in the Disney film below, God allows the enemy to be drawn in through the apparent “swallowing up” of the innocent, but what in effect was the “coup de grace.”  We see this especially upon the Cross, the death of Jesus was celebrated by His enemies but proved to be the weapon which delivered the world from the power of sin and death.  The language of Colossians 2:14-15 is reflective of the “spectacle” the Roman Emperors would make of their enemies in the streets of Rome after a great campaign; Christ’s cross was His terrible bite.

Don’t be fooled, the Lamb is the Lion!