Lion + LambEsimerkki

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me the greatest gift I could ever ask or hope for: the salvation of my soul. Thank You for choosing me, for adopting me, for redeeming me, and for rescuing me from my sin. Today, would You help me to respond with grateful obedience?

The Fulfillment of the Lion Lamb 

Imagine you have found yourself right back in your eighth-grade algebra class. It is a regular Wednesday morning until a new teacher walks in. “This is not Mr. Oldman,” fellow students whisper through gritted teeth. No, this is Ms. Newman, and, despite her newfound opposition, she is there to teach algebra. She begins, and the students, now boiling in their seats, listen to her spout a new method that seems to them ridiculous and nonsensical. Some are even so bold as to say, “This is not algebra at all.” 

This, to the Pharisees and religious teachers of Jesus’ time, was exactly what He came to do—teach a confusing and errant message. Today’s passage proves otherwise. 

Jesus, in this loving and challenging address, explains that His purpose is not to abolish or ignore the Law and the Prophets (the whole Old Testament, in other words). Instead, Jesus came to fulfill them as both the conquering Lion and the sacrificial Lamb. This is a message that would have filled scribes and Pharisees with rage but now fills us with hope and joy. 

Jesus is the Promised Lion Lamb who sacrificed Himself on our behalf and rules on His throne. 

Look at the Word:

1. Look at the passage again. Does Jesus, in light of this, instruct His listeners to abandon the Law?
2. What does Jesus set as the requirement for entering the kingdom of heaven? Is He being serious? Is this standard actually possible? 
3. Read Romans 3:21-25. What is the requirement for entering the kingdom of heaven in these verses? 

What’s Next? 

1. This is great news! Our entering into Christ’s Kingdom is 0% dependent upon us, and 100% dependent upon Him. Take a moment to thank God for this truth. 
2. Notice the truth woven into Christ’s words here. He still desires for us to obey His teachings. How can you obey Christ today?
3. Think of one person you know who is living in this Pharisee mindset, assuming their own righteousness will allow them entrance into God’s kingdom. Pray now for them to choose to place their faith in Jesus, and pray for an opportunity to share the truth of today’s devotional with them.