My
daughter was asking me this week if I thought March was going to come
in like a lion and go out like a lamb or the other way around. I
optimistically said that I hoped in came in AND out like a lamb - no
lions. She told me it doesn't work like that- you need to have both the
lion and the lamb ... I gotta read more about meteorology.
As
we think about Jesus we have this same tension don't we? In Scripture
we have both the lion and the lamb. I have often said that we can be too
casual with our view of Jesus ... he becomes a wimpy, effeminate,
powerless buddy. And there is the other side of that wrong view where
some view God as distant, angry and unapproachable.
When
we grab a hold of only one side of who Jesus is and neglect the amazing
power of the tension we lose the truth of Jesus. This tension means
that I can fully place my whole weight on the truth that Jesus is Lord,
King, Creator, Judge and Ruler of the Universe ... he is the all
powerful one described in Revelation 19:11-16.
At the same time I rest fully in knowing that he is my brother, friend
and savior. He says that even though he is our master he no longer
calls us servants but now calls us friends (John 15:15).
Jesus
is the Lord of eternity and the Master of time. All of creation is His
handiwork, and .. think about this - He is my friend!
He is gentle and yet as we read in Colossians 1:16
He is also the creator and sustainer of everything we see ... His
awesome power is seen in mountain ranges and ocean waves, tornadoes and
hurricanes, thunder and lightning ... all of these are tiny glimpses
into the awesome power of our Lord Jesus and yet He also tenderly
gathers us up in his arms as a shepherd loves and protects his sheep; he
walks beside us; he is our friend and brother.
My
friend never deserts me. He never forsakes me. I am always on His
mind. He never slumbers or sleeps. He surrounds me. He leads me. He
restores my soul. My friend never tires of me. He is always
faithful, true, tender and strong.
May
we never be swallowed up in the ocean of Jesus' awesome power and lose
sight of His closeness and tenderness. May we never take for granted
His amazing love and closeness and lose sight of His lordship and
holiness.
Jesus is the Lion and Lamb ... we need both.
Living by His Grace,
Kaj