Lions And Lambs

John 7:10-44

After his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. . . . On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds. (John 7:10, 37)

JESUS KNEW HOW TO MAKE a dramatic entrance. There were times when he stood up in front of a crowd and shouted, moments when he defied the expectations of everyone around him, and occasions when people seeking his help made a scene and embarrassed the disciples—with his approval. There is no evidence of shyness in his ministry. But he also knew the hearts of human beings, measured their responses, and planned his moments of influence strategically. He knew how to gently work his way into the heart of a Samaritan woman at a well and how to single out Zacchaeus in a crowd. He understood when to preach a hard message with a prophetic edge or a soft message glistening with grace. He was—and is—a master of managing opportunities.

That’s our calling too. We’ve seen how he identified disciples as lambs among wolves, and how they later lived out their mission in trying times. In our desire to influence our world for the Kingdom of God, we really need to ask only two questions of every situation: (1) How is God leading me in this moment? and, in the absence of specific directions, (2) What approach will be most effective? We may find that some situations call for a lamb-like approach, a demonstration of the compassionate heart of God, while others call for a lion-like entrance, a demonstration of his righteous zeal. Both are valid; neither is always right or wrong. Our God has many complementary faces to his character, and a multitude of ways of reaching multitudes of people. We have to learn how to represent him in a variety of ways.

If you are naturally a lion, get used to the ways of lambs. If you are naturally a lamb, embrace your inner lion. Half of your calling is knowing what your purpose is. The other half is knowing how to carry it out. Learn from the Lion of Judah and Lamb of God, and carry both natures within you.

{Jesus, I want to be like you—to roar and to whisper, to do only what I see the Father doing, just as you said. Clothe me in your nature in every season. Amen.