The Lamb/The Lion

“The people who hanged Christ never, to do them justice, accused him of being a bore – on the contrary, they thought him too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certified him “meek and mild” and recommended him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.” Dorothy L. Sayers, Letters to a Diminished Church

I think of this quote often and it is an accurate depiction of the majority of modern churches. Jesus came with a message and that message was love. If the Church truly loved Him, then accompanying that love would also be a healthy fear/respect of Him. There would be no infighting, bickering, and church splits; nor would there be those leading who have no business doing so.

We seem to only see that gentle side of Him and forget that it is the same Jesus who will return, not as the Suffering Servant, but as the Lion. Revelation 14:20 depicts Him collecting those who have believed, as well as overseeing the harvest of those who rejected and defied God. It tells us that so many will be put to death that their blood will span a distance of 180 miles (1,600 stadia) at a depth of four to five feet deep (up to a horse’s bridle). Symbolic or not, the imagery is frightening and not the actions of One to be taken lightly.

“…Every knee shall bow…” Philippians 2:9-10

C. Klingle