Symbolism & Salvation – Of Lions and Lambs: a Profound Duality 

By Daniel Bobinski 

Lions and lambs are among the most popular symbols in Scripture. When we think of lions we think of strength, authority, and stature. That’s because a lion’s majestic presence commands respect and awe. Thus, lions are an apt metaphor for the qualities of leadership and rulership. 

Conversely, when we think of lambs we get an image of innocence and gentleness. Sheep are, by nature, nonconfrontational. 

Most students of Scripture know that Jesus is referred to as both a lion and a lamb, so let’s start our examination of these metaphors with Jesus. 

In the fifth chapter of the Book of Revelation we see Jesus referred to as a lion: Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 

The imagery of Jesus being a lion stems from the blessing given by Jacob when he blessed his sons before his death in Egypt. Jesus was from the Tribe of Judah, and that tribe held the messianic expectations of the Jewish people. Genesis 49 tells us what Jacob said regarding Judah: 

You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness – who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. 

Certainly, Jesus being referred to as a lion symbolizes our Lord’s victorious and kingly nature. The image of a lion suggests not only power but also a rightful authority to rule and judge. 

Also a Lamb 

In addition to being referred to as a lion, Jesus was also referred to as a lamb. In fact, so powerful was that comparison, He was even referred to as “THE” lamb. 

The symbology here is vitally important. Lambs are innocent, gentle creatures, which is no doubt one of the reasons God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice lambs as suitable offerings. Both Exodus chapter 12 and Leviticus chapter 4 tell us that when lambs were brought to be sacrificed they needed to be free of spot or blemish. All sacrificial lambs were a foreshadowing of Jesus, because being innocent and blemish-free symbolized the moral and spiritual purity needed to atone for the sin of all mankind. 

One of the most significant examples of lambs in biblical sacrifice is the Passover lamb, as described in the Book of Exodus. In the days before the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, God commanded each family to identify a lamb free from spot or blemish and bring the lamb into their home. Then they were to sacrifice the lamb and smear its blood on the doorposts of their house. The blood of the lamb was a sign for the angel of death to “pass over” the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague of death that would kill the firstborn of homes without the blood. 

Thus, the Passover lamb became a symbol God’s mercy. When God saw the blood of the lamb, He refrained from bringing death upon them. 

The same is symbolic of our salvation. When we “receive by faith” the blood of Jesus to clean away our sins, after our physical body dies, God will see the blood we received by faith and we will be spared what Revelation chapters 2 and 20 refer to as “the second death” (the lake of fire). 

The fact that Jesus was crucified on Passover carries even more weight to the symbolism. Many have heard about “the last supper,” but few realize it was the Passover meal they were eating. 

John the Baptist’s Declaration 

To add more symbolism, we also have the words of John the Baptist, who, upon seeing Jesus, told his own followers, “Behold – the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). 

In the book of Leviticus, Israelite families were instructed to bring a lamb as a sin offering whenever it was discovered that someone in the family sinned. Those lambs were assigned to take away the sins of that family. The lamb was merely a substitute. Its death occurred to pay for the sin of a family. 

But, as John the Baptist so boldly proclaimed, Jesus was way beyond that. He was not the substitutionary lamb for just one family, but for the whole world. 

Not All Lions Are Regal 

Before I wrap up here, I do want to point out that the lion’s symbolism is not always positive. In his first epistle, the Apostle Peter describes the devil as a “roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” In this analogy, the lion represents a threat, embodying the forces of evil and destruction. We’re reminded that lions can prowl the world, looking to ensnare and destroy the unwary. 

To me, this contrast between the Lion of Judah and the roaring lion reminds us that with great power comes great responsibility. Power can be used righteously and justly, but the misuse or distortion of power leads to corruption and evil. 

Bottom line, the symbology of lions and lambs in Scripture offers profound insights into the nature of God, the mission of Christ, and the moral order of the world. The lion, associated with power and authority, and the lamb, associated with innocence and sacrifice, tell us much about the multi-faceted depth of God’s essence. Frankly, it’s awe-inspiring to take it all in. Perhaps the phrase, “Love so powerful” is a good way to combine these symbols. 

Daniel Bobinski, Th.D., is an award-winning and best-selling author and a popular speaker at conferences and retreats. Reach him at [email protected] or (208) 375-7606.