Fierce Love

This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Luke 2:34b-35a (NIV)

I recently watched a sobering documentary about exotic pets. Cute and cuddly when little (as all babies are), exotic animals grow into unpredictable, dangerous adults. Many owners are injured or killed by “pets” that have been removed from natural habitats to live among their quarry. Allowing a beast of prey to wander one’s property is not the brightest of ideas.

How easy it is to treat our Savior the same way, viewing Him only as the “little Lord Jesus,” or as the peaceful figure portrayed in stained-glass windows. Dorothy Sayers said it well. “We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certified him ‘meek and mild,’ and recommended him as a fitting household pet.”

Jesus, however, will not be tamed. He lived on the edge—His most dangerous act, revealing the hearts of men. He did the unexpected. The Lion of Judah left His realm of glory to dwell as a lamb among self-righteous, wicked, and wounded men. His light tore through the darkness and exposed sin. No wonder they found it necessary to kill Him.

But they could not keep Him down. Our Lion lives! He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The world calls us unlovely. The devil accuses. We even tell ourselves that we are unworthy. But His voice roars above the din that we are loved, that we are forgiven, and that we are accepted in the Beloved. How fierce is His love!

Lord, help us live courageously, as bold as lions, faithfully proclaiming Your love to the world.

© 2011 Katherine A. Fuller