The Lion of Judah
“…Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah…has triumphed…
Revelation 5:5
When I first came across the story, I found it hard to believe. It reported how a pride of African lions had rescued a young girl. Yes, you read it correctly. A group of lions rescued a young girl.
Determined to make sure that this wasn’t some wild urban legend, I did some research. To my surprise, multiple major news networks (NBC, Fox, and the BBC) had picked up on it.
So had the printed news services. Here’s a transcript from the Associated Press published on June 21, 2005.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – A 12-year-old girl who was abducted and beaten by men trying to force her into a marriage was found being guarded by three lions who apparently had chased off her captors, a policeman said Tuesday.
The girl, missing for a week, had been taken by seven men who wanted to force her to marry one of them, said Sgt. Wondimu Wedajo, speaking by telephone from the provincial capital of Bita Genet, about 350 miles southwest of Addis Ababa.
She was beaten repeatedly before she was found June 9 by police and relatives on the outskirts of Bita Genet, Wondimu said. She had been guarded by the lions for about half a day, he said.
"They stood guard until we found her and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest," Wondimu said.
"If the lions had not come to her rescue, then it could have been much worse. Often these young girls are raped and severely beaten to force them to accept the marriage," he said.
Tilahun Kassa, a local government official who corroborated Wondimu's version of the events, said one of the men had wanted to marry the girl against her wishes.
"Everyone thinks this is some kind of miracle, because normally the lions would attack people," Wondimu said.
The article goes on to say that, according to some experts, the lions heard the young woman’s cries. Those cries reminded them of the mewing of their own young and they responded protectively.
Pretty amazing, huh? Beyond that, however, I think there’s some practical application that can be seen here.
Just like that young girl, we face an enemy whose diabolical purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy. It may come in the form of the current pandemic that threatens our health. It could come in the form of the loss of a job and the income it provided. Or in the form of marital struggles. Or in the form of a deepening depression.
Whatever form is taken, the enemy is both merciless and ruthless. As with that young woman, the situation leaves us terrified and feeling hopeless.
Moreover, like that young woman, we are helpless. In our own strength, we are no match for this enemy.
Fortunately, we don’t have to be. As we cry out, we have one who is ready, willing, and able to come to our rescue. It’s none other than the Lord Jesus, the One who is called, “the Lion of Judah” in Revelation 5:5.
As we cry out, we have One who is ready, willing, and able to come to our rescue.
The imagery of the lion is so appropriate. It reflects the powerful, majestic, and regal nature of that which is regarded as the king of beasts. The lion – without peer…without equal.
We are protected by and provided for by just such a lion. But not just a lion…the Lion! He is, in fact, the ultimate King – the One who is over all else. The One whose rule will never be challenged. The One whose reign will never end.
He is the One before whom all of our enemies cower. He is the One who puts all of our fears to flight. “The Lion of the tribe of Judah…has triumphed.”
No matter how alone we feel, He is with us. No matter how threatened we are, He is by our side.
And, unlike the lions of the young girl’s experience, this Lion will never leave us. Now that’s something worth roaring about!
PRAYER
Jesus, You are the Lion of Judah – awesome in power and mighty to save. I rejoice in Your protection and provision. And I rest in Your permanent presence. May I ever and always boast in You.
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