Jesus is a lion and a lamb

"And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:3-15).

In this passage Jesus is described as the lion of the tribe of Judah and as a lamb that was slain. J. Edwards wrote that what makes Jesus so glorious is "an admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies." Two of those diverse excellencies about Jesus that John describes is that he is a lion and a lamb. John Piper writes, "we marvel at him because his uncompromising justice is tempered with mercy. His majesty is sweetened by meekness...Though he is worthy of all good, he was patient to suffer evil...He could still the storm with a word, but would not strike the Samaritans with lightning or take himself down from the cross."

Jesus is the Rock of Ages who invites us to "come unto me all ye that labor and our heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Jesus is our mighty fortress who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He who created the universe was the "lamb slain before the foundation of the world." Praise Him who is a lion and a lamb.