The Lion And The Lamb

THE LION AND THE LAMB

ISAIAH 9:6

Introduction: Isaiah 9:6 talks about two aspects of Christ in one verse and appears to blend them into one event while in reality the verse combines elements of both the first advent and the second advent of Jesus Christ. It speaks of His birth and earthly ministry as the Lamb of God and it speaks of His return in the future as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. For a few minutes let us consider the Lion and the Lamb.

I. AS A LAMB CHRIST WAS BORN IN OBSCURITY IN THE LITTLE VILLAGE OF BETHLEHEM

A. Luke 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

B. Jesus Christ was born in a simple lowly place, a corner of a stable in the village of Bethlehem. Bethlehem was a small, obscure village in the province of Judea. It was so small and insignificant a village that Bethlehem is not even mentioned as one of the cities of Judah in the chronicles of Joshua or Nehemiah. It simply wasn’t important enough.

C. Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

II. AS A LION HE RETURNS TO THE CAPITOL CITY, JERUSALEM IN POWER AND MIGHT

A. Zechariah 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

B. The Mount of Olives is the central eminence of a line of hills, of rather more than a mile in length, overhanging the city, from which it is separated only by the narrow bed of the valley of the brook Cedron. It rises 187 feet above Mount Zion, 295 feet above Mount Moriah, 443 feet above Gethsemane, and lies between the city and the wilderness toward the dead sea: around its northern side. It here where Christ ascended and it is here where He will return.

C. Acts 1 states that Christ would ’so come in like manner’ as the disciples saw Him go into Heaven. He will return upon the very spot from which He ascended.

III. AS A LAMB CHRIST’S BIRTH WAS NOTICED BY ONLY A HANDFUL OF SHEPHERDS.

A. Luke 2:8-17 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child

B. The birth of Jesus took place in the dark and lonely hours of the night, when no one even knew about it, except for a small number of shepherds. Christ was born unknown to the world.

C. John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

IV. AS A LION WHEN HE RETURNS EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM WHEN HE RETURNS