What would you think of a lion coming all the way from his distant land to die for mice, that he might set them free?”
The little girl looked astonished.
“I know a lion who did that. Jesus, ‘the Lion of the tribe of Juda’ (Rev. 5:55And one of the elders saith unto me, 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. (Revelation 5:5)), died for us, to deliver us from the net of Satan, who had us captive at his will. We are only as mice compared to Him; yet He came to free us. And ought not we to thank the good Lion if He came back to life?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Of course, we ought thus to thank Jesus and love Him. But suppose this lion was gentle, and loving, and tame, and was willing to walk with us day by day, always at our side, ready to protect us. Should I be afraid to go through the dark woods, if I had such a lion with me?”
“No. ‘Cos you’ve got Jesus with you.”
“Yes, dear, that is it. So I can say, as David did,
The lion is the king of all beasts of prey.
“Why do you think Jesus is called a lion?”
The child looked very serious, as it was explained that one reason was because He was coming back to punish His enemies. He came first as a Lamb, to be a sacrifice, and to put away sin; He is coming again. to bring delivence to all who believe, also to take “vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel” (2 Thess. 1:88In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Thessalonians 1:8)). Then He will be as a lion.
The dear girl seemed frightened at the thought.
“You like to think of Jesus as the gentle Lamb. Well, trust in Him, and let Him set you free. Have Him walk with you as your Protector now, and you will not need to fear His coming again.”
If “the fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion”; and, “whoso provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his own soul” (Prov. 20:22The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. (Proverbs 20:2)), much more is it true of the King of kings, Who has said,
Come to Him now, dear young reader, while the day of mercy lasts.
ML 12/26/1943