Lion or Lamb

By Ted Mock

December 17, 2025

Revelation 5:5-6 …Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain….

As I was reading this morning in Revelation, I came across the familiar scene in chapter five of the book sealed with seven seals that no one was worthy to open.  When John wept much because no one was found who could open the book, one of the elders told John, weep not because the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David had prevailed to open the book.  

When John turned to look for the Lion, he saw a Lamb!

For the last few days, I have been working on a short after dinner message for a Christmas banquet at a local church. I had been studying in Luke about the shepherds being the first to hear the birth announcement of the Messiah. They were told they would find Him lying in a manger.  These were the same shepherds that were watching the flocks destined for Temple sacrifice, shepherds that were sent by the angel to watch over The Lamb, destined to be the Sacrifice for the sin of mankind.

When Mary and Joseph brought the baby to the Temple, they brought two turtle doves because they were poor.  But they didn’t need those birds because they had a brought a lamb, The Lamb!

As I read the story in Revelation, the narrative in Luke came to mind, and it became clear to me that if you do not see Him as The Lamb, you will one day see Him as The Lion on judgment day.

Reflection—This Christmas, look for the Lamb, don’t wait until you see His as a Lion.