The Lamb And The Lion

For many youths who have embraced the Saviour Jesus Christ through teachings, testimonies, prayer sessions are already walking in the steps of the Master and experiencing glorious transformations. We want to look in depth into an interesting topic The Lamb And The Lion. We want to see from the perspective of a lamb and a lion (qualities that can be viewed as contradictory). Every Christian youth must possess and exhibit these qualities to maintain an acceptable Christian life and succeed as sheep in the midst of ravening wolves in a wicked and viper-filled generation.

Briefly, let’s see the following: (1) Jesus the Lamb (2) Jesus the Lion (3) The Christian Youth as a lamb (4) The Christian Youth as a Lion and (5) Christian Youth, Rouse yourself for the hour’s need.

Jesus, The Lamb

A lamb, in the physical, is the young of a sheep (Ex.12:3,5). It is innocent, harmless, dependent on its leader. The lamb is used to describe one who is meek, lowly, quiet, harmless, leadable and affectionate (Is. 53:7; Acts 8:32-33). John, the Baptist introduced Him as the lamb of God (Jn.1:29). He is our Passover Lamb, like the passover lamb offered in Egypt on the eve of their departure (1Cor.5:7) for the remission of the sins of the whole world (Matt.26:28; Gal.1:3,4).

Jesus, like the lamb, manifested calmness, quietness, harmlessness all through His earthly business even through to death. His sinless and pure life proved His being the qualified choice (Acts 8:32,33; Heb.7:26; Isa.53:7; 1Pt.2:22,23). Like a lamb, He did not avenge Himself but depended on the Father (1Pt.2:23). He did not find it hard to say "the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (Jn.4:30; cons. Heb.4:15). He is the Lamb of God indeed.

Jesus, The Lion

A lion is a fierce and violent carnivorous animal (1Sam.17:34; 1Kgs.13:24). Lion represents strength, royalty, authority, fearlessness and majesty (Gen.49:9,10). Jesus, though a lamb, yet a lion. He is the lion of the tribe of Judah, who alone was found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals on it (Rev.5:1-5). No one in heaven, on earth nor under the earth was qualified to take the scroll and open it. It is only one who has prevailed, conquered all (on earth, in heaven and under the earth) that was found capable to loose the seal and reveal the content/programme of the future. Jesus is that strong and matchless deliverer of the tribe of Judah, the mighty arm of God who alone could bring salvation unto man (Isa. 59:16). The only sinless and innocent man who alone could go through the excruciating pains of calvary to pay the price of man’s redemption and obtain victory over the power of sin and death (Gal. 1:3,4; 1Jn. 2:1,2; Matt. 28:18; Acts 4:12; 1Cor. 15:54-57). He prevailed over His enemies and spoiled their works and influences (Col.2:14,15).

As a lion, He has royalty associated to him. Jesus, a Lamb yet a lion (tending his flock and bearing rule over enemies Isa.40:10,11). The meek and calm Jesus was spat on, deprived of His rights and privileges, taken through the agony of the cross without opening his mouth. He knew when to be docile, mute and harmless like a lamb. Jesus, the lion; brave, fearless and uncompromising. He knew when and how to roar at and devour His enemies (Matt.23:13-17; Lk.13:32-33; Jn.2:13-17). In His first coming, He came for peace and rode on a colt. When He will come again, He will ride on a white horse and rule with a rod of iron (Rev.19:11,15; Matt.21:4-7). Jesus is the lion-like lamb and the lamb-like lion. It is a paradox that must be appreciated (cons. Rev.5:5,9; 6:16).

The Christian Youth As A Lamb

The journey into HIS STEPS is progressing as knowledge and awareness are being imparted into us. Our eyes of understanding are being so enlightened that we see almost literally the fire of the word and the Lord sitting as refiner and purifier ensuring that all dross of ignorance, short-sightedness and foolishness of the youth is totally burnt off (Mal.3:3). It is enough that the servant be as his lord (Matt.10:25). The Christian youth must be a lamb and a loin exhibiting the qualities seen with the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk.10:3; Jn.21:15 cons. Phil.2:5; 1Pt.2:21). As Jesus -like lamb, he must be pure, meek, lowly, simple, teachable, leadable and docile as one who has chosen the steps of the Lord Jesus. He needs to ensure that the impurities associated with youth life at this end of time is fled - impurities from immoral/ungodly conversation, unnecessary visitations, unedifying reading and views most of which are unconsciously got into and lifestyles that attracts ungodly attention to oneself or send wrong signals to others (cons. Job39:28-30; 2Tim.2:22; Matt.24:28). Through renewing one’s mind by the Word of God, godly conversation, prayers and commitment, one’s heart will be established in truth and righteousness (Rom.12:1-2; Heb.13:9; Jn.8:32). He should speak soft words and exhibit polite and accommodating attitude towars colleagues, siblings and brethren (Eph. 4:31, 32). He should always leave vengeance for the Lord realizing that there is the shepherd who fights his battles (1Pt.2:24; Rom.12:18-21). Rough life and dressing is never in his character. He loves the voice of his leader, the teachings and instructions that lead to life and peace and allows them to over rule those of his peers and society (Jn.10:2-5; cons. Prov.1:10; Acts 5:29).

He readily submits to the will of God for him in all matters - career, business, choice of friends, moments of confusion, issues on relationships, and other matters associated with living as a victorious youth in a generation that swallows its inhabitants (Ps.119:105-106; cons. Acts 21:12,14; Matt.26:28).

Like Jesus, the lamb, love, mercy, compassion and willingness to give up certain privileges and rights that others may have them when necessary (1Jn.3:16-17; Col.3:12-14; 1Cor.6:7). These are the true marks of young men and women whose role model Jesus, the lamb of God, is and they themselves being lambs.

The Christian Youth as a Lion

The Watchman Christian youth is a lamb, and yet, like his Lord, a lion and therefore exhibits his Master’s lion characteristics if he must be a complete follower and representative of the Lord (Gen.49:9;Prov.28:1; Rev.5:5; Isa.11:4).

The world in which today’s Christian youth has found himself is one that must be matched with ‘violence’ if he must succeed here and run against the tide through to the kingdom (Matt.11:12; cp. Lk.13:24). It takes the mind of a lion to declare your new faith after this conference to your friends and colleagues (Jn.9:8-11,13-15,24-25, 28-34). It is the lion-like Watchman youth that can stand uncompromisingly in a sub-standard Christian world and in the face of threats say to mighty ‘Nebuchadnezzar’ "we are not careful to answer thee in this matter... be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods ..." (Dan.3:14-18). The demand to remain holy and present his body a living sacrifice (1Pt.1:15,16; Matt.5:48; Rom.12:1; 1Jn.2:15,16) is a necessary pre-requisite to entry into God’s kingdom. The Watchman youth brother or sister as a lion is BRAVE and GRAVE to stand and overcome every inferiority complex, intimidations, wooings, seductions and influences from all Portiphers’ wives and Ammons (Gen.39:7-12; 2Sam.13:11-14) and tell them to their face that they cannot do this great wickedness, and sin against God (cons. Dan.1:8; Job 31:1; Gal.2:20). The fearless and hunting Watchman youth realizing the gift of God upon him (Lk.4:18,19) and the fact that he has been set on the height to accomplish the urgent eleventh business of the Lord in the midst of adversaries will declare to Ahab that "Behold Elijah is here" and to every Herod "... tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected ..." (1Kgs.18:8,11; Lk.13:31-33).

The Christian youth occupies royalty and authority (Rom.8:17; Eph.2:6; Rev.5:10; 1Pt.2:9) and is equipped to the teeth to devour like the lion (Isa. 49:2; cp. Isa.41:15,16) and roll out decrees and execute judgements upon the wicked, agents of whoredom and witchcraft, spillers of blood (kidnappers and ritualists), false religious teachers and leaders, oppressors and intimidators from the highest and national to lowest and local places in this nation (Mic.3:5-8; 2Kgs.9:30-33; 10:21-26) that they proceed no further.

The line for the battle of the warrior has been drawn and all spiritual forces, associations and circumstances must know that the lion-like Watchman youth has stepped into the shoe of his leader to occupy till He comes and so cannot retreat nor surrender (Isa.31:4) until their enemies are trodden under foot (Rom.16:20; Deut.28:7; 2Tim.3:9).

Now that you have discovered that as a Christian youth you are a lamb, yet a lion, there is an urgent charge that the Lord expects you to carry out immediately; what is it then?

Christian Youth, Rouse Yourself for the Hour’s Need

God has never and can never be taken unawares, hence He equips His children in every generation to carry out His biddings especially against His enemies.

In our time, the evils of our generation especially of our nation is spilling over and the hour of judgement is come. Who shall order it? (1Kgs.20:13-14). The lion Christian youth.

All that the Lord expects this day is that you maintain your integrity as a lamb seeing God cannot compromise His righteousness neither does He respect anyone. Next is look around you, consider the evil and unrighteousness meted upon homes, brethren, the poor and needy, orphans and widows, men and women etc. and realise who you are and the charge of God to you and rouse yourself to action (Gen.49:9; Prov.20:2; Amos3:4; Eph.6:12; 2Cor.10:4-6). Christian youth, ensure your obedience to His Word is complete. It is time for the battle of the warrior and the Lord God is set to take vengeance on the enemies of His people. Right now, run along with the Master with the roaring of the lion and your sword raised up shouting the Scripture verses Lk.4:18,19, thereafter watch out for news everywhere concerning your spoil.