How Do the Lion and the Lamb Portray Jesus

How do the lion and the lamb portray Jesus?

Jesus is the lion and the lamb – as Christians, we are told this truth all the time. But have you ever wondered what it really means? Why these animals? How do the lion and the lamb portray Jesus?

Today we will deeply analyze what it means that God is two opposites at once. We will embrace His complex character full of paradoxes and surprises and at the end, we’ll give YOU a chance to add the concept of Jesus as the lion and the lamb to your home. Let’s dive right in!

The Symbols of Animals

You’ve probably noticed that specific animals symbolize different qualities in different literature pieces. For example, the owl was always associated with wisdom, the fox with cunning, and the pig with... being dirty. The Bible does not stay behind and also uses the symbolism of animals, providing various comparisons and metaphors. For example, Proverbs 14:4 mentions “strength of the ox” and Song of Songs 4:2 says “Your hair is like the shimmering black fleece of a flock of Arabian goats that have descended from Mount Gilead beyond the Jordan”.

Now, some of the symbols are strictly connected to the times and culture. I mean, call your wife an “Arabian goat” and see her reaction. Probably she will want to punch you. ;) Goat as a symbol of beauty does not function in today’s world. But, at the same time, “cow” can be offensive. When in older times it was rather a symbol of abundance and richness. As we see, it all depends on time.

So according to this, we would need to think and try to answer “How do the lion and the lamb portray Jesus in these times” and "How did they before". Well, not really. Because surprisingly the symbol of a lion stayed the same till this very day. Lamb? Almost, let’s say. So let’s start with this one, shall we?

Jesus as The Lamb

In the Old Testament, people needed to offer sacrifices. Usually, they were animals and the best possible sacrifice you could give was… a lamb. Innocent, pure, and in its finest form. To cover your and your family's sins, you needed to sacrifice the young lamb.

Jesus was compared to the Lamb for two reasons – the first of them is clear. He WAS this kind of sacrifice. Given for all of our sins and died in a truly painful way. He was the payment for our sins. He was the last lamb to be killed.

So historically, the lamb symbolized sacrifice. So in this case, the answer to “How the lion and the lamb portray Jesus” is simple. Jesus is the lamb because he died for us, and he is a lion because he fights for us.

There is another aspect of the concept of lamb worth bringing up. When you think about a lamb, you usually think about a pure white, fluffy, and gentle creature. Calling Jesus fluffy would be a big misunderstanding, but for certain He is gentle, pure, and innocent. Exactly – He is innocent. He did not commit a single sin, yet He paid the price for all of them. He is our lamb, our sacrifice without blame.

Jesus as The Lion

The symbol of the lion is pretty simple. If you ask a small child, what does lion symbolizes, you might receive correct answers. Bravery. Power. Majesty.

Revelation 5:5 says: “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered.”

Wow, doesn’t it sound amazing? Jesus is fighting and winning for us. He’s loud like a lion, roaring and slaying anything that stands against Him. Well, when the Bible says if God is with us, who is against us, this is what it means. The lion is the king of animals so Jesus is King of everything.

Comparing Jesus to a king also places Him at the very top – it emphasizes his royalty and power. He couldn’t be any other animal than the best of them.

Also, it portrays Jesus as the one who leads the army – so it gives us peace, because not to win the war with such a leader? Impossible.

It might seem confusing at the beginning when we think about it. How do the lion and the lamb portray Jesus at the same time? We’ve just learned the meaning behind these symbols, but how can opposites go together?

The Paradox - How Do the Lion and the Lamb portray Jesus?

The lamb – gentle, pure, innocent. The lion – stern, fighting, strong. This is the most amazing – the complexity of God's character. Probably we will never be able to comprehend it fully. But if we understand that He is everything – that’s enough.

These qualities that seem opposite in the concept of how do the lion and the lamb portray Jesus are actually… making sense.

Because if Jesus is a gentle lamb for His followers, He is also stern with them to follow His instructions. If He was slayed to save His people, now He slays the demons and dark strengths. As a pure and innocent man, He fights with evil according to His Godly wrath.

Jesus as a lamb cannot exist without Jesus as a lion. In the modern world, it is trendy to repeat slogans that “God loves everyone” and allows sinful behaviors. Oh please, Jesus the lion will show His anger bring honor to His great name.

On the other hand, some people imagine God as a scary old man who only punishes people. Yet, whenever we need comfort or kindness, Jesus the Lamb is always there for us. His character full of “oppositions” is a whole and should never be torn apart. Choosing the version of Jesus that one likes more is a huge misunderstanding.

Jesus, Lion, Lamb

My husband and I are very devoted to the concept of our God’s true character. That’s why we created a design that reminds us that Jesus the Lamb always walks by Jesus the Lion. We wanted to make a visual answer to the question “How do the lion and the lamb portray Jesus”.

The design presents Jesus – the man and God – in the center of the way. On both sides, we can see a lion and a lamb – symbols of Jesus’ character. The dark colors will pop up in modern, bright interiors, or will nicely blend in in the more traditional homes. We made sure any home can benefit from this design representing such an important truth.

You can purchase the design here.

We hope that it will always remind you that God is a friend and our lord, a sacrifice and a fighter, the love and the righteous anger. He is everything.