Names of Jesus Series: Episode 21 Jesus the Lion of Judah

Hello, my walking friend! If you have been walking with me since the first episode of the Names of Jesus series then you have meditated on 20 different names of Jesus! And you have walked for 200 minutes! You have, and are, doing wonderful things for your body and soul. 

Today is the 21^st, and last, episode in the names of Jesus series. In our last episode, we meditated on Jesus, the Lamb of God. What a contrast to the name we will be meditating on today, which is Jesus, the Lion of Judah. 

Our verse to meditate on today is Revelation 5:5 NIV:

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.”

There are two places in scripture with a reference to the Lion of Judah – in the verse we are meditating on today and in Genesis 49. In Genesis 49, Jacob is telling his twelve sons, who would become the twelve tribes of Israel, what is going to happen to them in later days. When he gets to his son Judah, Jacob uses very prophetic language that points to an eternal king to come – Jesus. Remember in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus we see he comes from the line of Judah. It’s interesting that in the first book of the Bible we have this vision of the coming savior as a lion from the tribe of Judah, and in the last book of the Bible, Revelation, we are told of Jesus, in all his glory, as the Lion of Judah. Jesus, the lion, the eternal king, the conqueror and victor over death. But the path that God chose for Jesus to become the conquering lion was a path of suffering in which he was first the lamb slain for us. Jesus, both God and man, Jesus both lion and lamb.

Take a little time now to meditate on Revelation 5:5:

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.”

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? 

Here’s what Jesus revealed to me as I studied and meditated on this verse:

When we get discouraged about the state of the world, let’s put our focus on Jesus. Our hope is, and should always be, in him. He is the Lamb, the sacrifice for our salvation, and he is the Lion, the sovereign king over creation. He, alone, is worthy to judge the world. He, alone, is the perfect one to save our souls and he is worthy of praise. When we accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation, he wrote our names in the Book of Life. We are sealed in him by his love. Trust him with the scroll of your life. Put it in his hands because he is worthy of trust. Remember, he will come back like a lion and he will judge all who have rejected him. So, let’s pray, walking friend, that hearts would soften and ears open to hear the good news of redemption before it is too late. As you walk with Jesus today, praise him with your mind, your heart, and your voice. If you do, your step will be light, your soul will sing, and you will see the world differently. 

Let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus, the Lion of Judah, and what that means to us. 

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,

Forgive me for all the missed opportunities to praise you! You are so worthy of praise! I walk in awe of the many aspects of who you are and all that you have done for me. I praise every name there is for you – those I have listened to in this podcast and the many more not included. You made yourself weak for me. You made yourself a sacrificial lamb. But I know you are as strong as a lion, a mighty king who rules with justice and mercy, with love and faithfulness. I don’t deserve you, yet you love me anyway. My heart overflows with gratitude for you. Your name is above all names and today I will take a minute to get on my knees and bow before you, my Lion of Judah. Thank you, Jesus, for walking with me always. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah? Take some time to consider this now.

Do you look forward to the day when Jesus will return and judge creation? Consider your answer now.

Of all the names of Jesus you have studied in this series, which ones resonated with you the most in this season of your life? Why? Take some time to consider this now.

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time Revelation 5:5:

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.”

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Well, you did it! You spent 10 minutes of walking and 10 minutes focusing on Jesus, the Lion of Judah. I hope that this Names of Jesus series has inspired you to study further into these names and the many other names of Jesus. In his Bible commentary, Warren Wiersbe said “Let Jesus be to you all that his names proclaim, for every name that he bears is a blessing that he shares.” I know that has been true for me, and I pray and hope that that has been true for you, too! If  you missed any episodes in this series, I would encourage you to go back and listen to them.