When the average person thinks of Jesus, the image that comes to mind is one that is often misconstrued. This is because a follower of Jesus has in some way inevitably misrepresented the true Jesus. No matter how sincere the effort of Christians, each one still experiences a daily civil war going on within between the Spirit of God and their own sinful nature.
In some instances, some decisions, some battles, the sinful nature wins which can often turn others away from Jesus because one of his followers is still susceptible to corruption. In instances like these, words like hypocrite are often attributed to the stumbled Christian. Thankfully, there is Scripture to give a full and accurate account of who Jesus is, as his followers will always come up short in this department, misrepresenting Jesus in one form or another.
One passage in particular worth reflecting on concerning the authentic Jesus is from Revelation 5. In this passage Jesus is revealed as both a mighty lion and meek lamb that has been slaughtered; two very contrasting but powerful metaphors depicting the true Jesus.
One author describes them as follows, “The lion is the symbol of both ultimate power and supreme royalty, while the lamb symbolizes both gentle vulnerability and, through its sacrifice, the ultimate weakness of death. But the two are now to be fused together, completely and for ever.” (N.T. Wright, revelation for Everyone, pages 53 – 54.)
Jesus is the one true King of this world. He holds authority over every living creature on earth, yet he is also servant of all, willing to take the place of the helpless, dying in their place.
All powerful (lion) and completely sacrificial (lamb) – that is Jesus.
Curtis Christison is youth pastor at Maple Park Alliance Church in Quesnel.