The Lion of Judah



When the wait for justice and righteousness in the world seems unending, where do we turn? In her times of sadness, Hengameh Borji, Iranian presenter of SAT-7 women’s programme Insiders, reminds herself of the ultimate kingship of Christ:
“The sceptre 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.” Genesis 49:10
This passage in Genesis 49 tells the story of Jacob blessing his sons and prophesying of future times. These verses say that Jacob and Leah’s son Judah will receive great blessings – the highest of which will be an everlasting kingdom.
Several hundred years later, many great kings emerged from Judah’s line, including King David – and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ, whose kingdom is eternal and before whom every knee shall bow.
And yet, as an Iranian living during these difficult times, my heart is filled with pain as I look on the oppression and injustice that multiplies daily in my homeland and neighbouring Afghanistan. Faced with these things, it is hard to avoid sadness and even despondency. At times I have asked God if He has totally abandoned the people.
Perhaps all of us as believers face challenges that make us feel despondent, which can sometimes seem like insurmountable mountains.
So it is good to remember during these days of Advent that the Jesus we follow is no longer the vulnerable infant lying in the Christmas manger. He is the lion of the tribe of Judah – the king with absolute power to whom all things belong; the one who will receive the obedience of all nations. The next time you call on Him in your despondency, remember that the one whom you are addressing is that very same almighty and everlasting king.
Reflect
How does it make you feel when you remember that Jesus is now not the tiny baby of the Christmas story, but the King of Kings? Does it help you to trust Him?