Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
-Revelation 5:5-6a (NIV)

In Revelation 5, the exiled apostle John is given a glimpse into the throne room of heaven. One of the things he sees is a scroll, which contains a written account of God’s future plans for the world. There is a problem, however — no one is worthy to open it. That thought bothers John so much that be begins to weep uncontrollably. An elder quickly calms his fears by saying that the Lion of the tribe of Judah (another name for Jesus) has authority to open, read and execute the contents of the scroll.

John is expecting a lion, but instead sees a lamb. I’m sure he was very confused…  A quiet, peaceful lamb couldn’t be further from a mighty, ferocious lion. They are complete polar opposites!

But it’s clear that Jesus is described as a lion and he’s described as a lamb. And that mere fact from Revelation is vital if we are to have a true understanding of Jesus’ character. Any other view where one side is overemphasized at the expense of the other is completely unbalanced and extremely dangerous.

For example, people who want Jesus to simply be a lion will say things like, “Jesus is coming! He’s going to judge the immoral, he’s going to pounce on my enemies, and destroy those who are just plain different than me! He’ll protect me, but not everyone else. So watch out… If you’re not just like I am, then the lion is gonna get you!”

Others who are only attracted to Jesus’ lamb qualities will make comments like, “Jesus died for everyone! He’s safe and forgiving. So of course he’d never harm anyone. Correction? Punishment? Discipline? Hell? Those words aren’t in his vocabulary! So sin all you’d like… The gentle lamb won’t hurt you!”

Is there some truth there in both of those statements? Sure. Jesus is the lion. Lions symbolize power, strength and royalty. Jesus is the lamb. Lambs symbolize obedience, purity and sacrifice.

But he’s not one over the other. Jesus is both.

As a lamb is how Jesus entered into the world, glorifying the Father for his mercy and forgiveness. But, as a lion is how Jesus will return into the world, glorifying the Father for his justice and authority.

To fully understand and worship Christ for who he is now, we must see him in his entirety.

Jesus is the lion and the lamb.