The Lion of Judah

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE

Why is Jesus called the Lion of Judah? 
What is the significance of that Name of God? 
What can we learn from it?

THE LION OF JUDAH

The Lion, also known as the king of the jungle, is a majestic predator who usually lives in pride and demonstrates majestic and royal qualities.  Some of the characteristics of the lion include:

1. Strong
2. Team Orientated 
3. Focused
4. Purposeful 
5. Resourceful and Wise
6. Competitive 
7. Protective

Jesus is referred to in Revelation as the Lion of Judah. This reference is not a coincidence, it speaks to the fact that our Savior has Lion-like characteristics.  He is not only a sacrificial Lamb but He also embodies all of the positive attributes of the Lion.  

1. He is strong – While He walked on the earth as God made flesh (John 1:14), there is no other person or being stronger than He was, and nor will there ever be.

2. He is team-oriented – He could have come to earth and single-handedly carried out His mission, but he chose to build a team of disciples to help Him (Mark 3:13).  

3. He is Focused – Although He worked with his disciples to carry out His mission, He often took time alone with the Father (Luke 6:12) and chose to go to the cross even when all His disciples abandoned Him (Luke 22:42).
   
4. He is Purposeful – Nothing He does is outside of His purpose to seek and save the Lost (Luke 19:10). He does not act out of pride or greed but does everything in line with the calling that His Father gave Him. 
   
5. He is Resourceful and Wise – As we read the Gospels, we are amazed at the way He responded to the questions He was asked by those who wanted to trap Him, and how He dealt with the Roman authorities (Matthew 22:41-46; Matthew 27:11-14). There is no one wiser or more resourceful than Him.
     
6. He is Competitive – He makes it clear that no one can serve two masters (Luke 16:13). He expects loyalty from His subjects, and will not yield His reign to anyone else (Mark 8:34; Mark 10:31).
     
7. He is Protective – He laid down His life for humanity so that all who trust in Him may receive the gift of eternal life that was purchased with His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Yes, He is a Lion but more than that He is the Lion of Judah. Judah was the fourth son of Leah, born after Reuben, Simeon, and Levi (Genesis 29:35). King David, King Solomon, and the King of Kings – Jesus Christ  – were all descended from this tribe. 

The territory of Judah included Jerusalem. Jacob blessed Judah by proclaiming that Judah would “rule over his brothers”; be “like a lion’s cub”; and that “the scepter will not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:8-10). You could call Judah the kingly tribe – they knew how to walk as rulers, and they produced kings. 

King David was the righteous king – a type of Christ – ordained by God to establish the lineage through which Christ would be born. The Lion of Judah is the righteous eternal ruler that represents God’s sovereign rule on earth and in eternity. As long as He reigns we have hope. He is our liberator, our hope, and our savior.  

Just as Jesus is the Lion of Judah, we are called as His disciples to emulate Him and walk in His ways.  We were created in His image and likeness. Just as He exemplifies the characteristics of a lion, we can as well.  Whatever your circumstances, whatever you are going through, embrace your call as a disciple of Jesus Christ and reflect His will and ways in the marketplace. Just as He is called to rule through eternity, you are called to walk in dominion in your industry and business sector. 

My prayer for you today is that God will lead you in His ways so that you may reflect the characteristics of the Lion of Judah and become a cutting-edge leader in your industry or business.