Names of Christ: Lion of Judah

One of the most majestic names of Jesus shows up inRevelation 5:5CloseRevelation 5:5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne,* has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) :

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” (NKJV)

Jesus Christ as the Lion who conquered sin and death—so that we could share in the glory of His eternal kingdom…

Growing up in Africa, this attribute of Jesus as the Lion, as somebody who conquered death, who was all-inspiring, all-knowing—it scared me. I thought, There’s no way that this lion of Judah could accept somebody like me, who was dirty on the inside, who was so far away from God.

But there is another attribute of the name of Jesus found inJohn 1:29CloseJohn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) . Jesus is described as the Lamb of God. These two pictures, the idea of Jesus as the Lion, and Jesus as the Lamb is what captured my heart many, many years ago.

This Christmas season, as you ponder the birth of Jesus Christ, may you reflect on His attribute of being the Lion—One who went to the cross, who conquered death—but also the attribute of Jesus as the Lamb. He came innocently. He came, and He sacrificed His love. He sacrificed His life so that you and I could have eternal life.

Enjoy the meaning of Christmas this year, knowing that He is the Lion of Judah, but He’s also the Lamb of God.

Merry Christmas!