Venerating Our Fallen Heroes, Recognizing Our Risen Champion
Memorial Day, a federally-recognized holiday set aside to honor United States armed forces personnel who died in service, provides a yearly opportunity to validate and commemorate all the valiant men and women – fallen heroes – for their outstanding service coupled with the laying down of their lives to serve and to save their beloved country.
This immediately brings to mind another who did the same for His Universe, accompanying His acts of service and salvation with unprecedented undertakings of strategic seeking and sacrifice (Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28), thereby effecting the greatest defense act and rescue mission the world has ever known. This Hero of heroes, memorialized forever by the cross on which He died and His exalted position at the Father’s right hand (Ephesians 1:20-21; 2:6; Colossians 3:2; 1 Peter 3:22; Psalms 110:1) is none other than Jesus Christ the Righteous, otherwise known as The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Venerating Our Fallen Heroes, Recognizing Our Rising Champions
A title such as this should stir a wave of excitement in everyone who has accepted and enjoys a personal walk with Jesus, for it automatically confers on them the same spiritual pedigree, privileges and proclivities. As beneficiaries of salvation and Jesus’s bona fide siblings (Hebrews 2:11 & 17; Ephesians 2:19; Matthew 12:50; Mark 3:35; Luke 8:21), it follows that if He is The Lion of the tribe, we are lions of the same tribe and therefore share the same characteristics and mandate (see Micah 5:7-9; Genesis 49:9; Micah 4:13; Zechariah 9:15; 10:5; 12:3; Isaiah 41:15-16; Obadiah 1:18-19).
Feline Furor
Without prejudice to the fact that this author is an avid feline fan and a genus panthera (the large cat family) enthusiast (her favorite of which is the lion), a discussion on heroism devoid of symbolic embodiments would render the discourse incomplete. Being one of the three animal species the Bible allegorically associates with divinity, a broad-based overview furnishing quick insights may greatly enhance the reader’s appreciation of the subject from a perspective beyond the obvious.
Panthera Leo
Universally recognized as the king of beasts, the lion bears a distinguishing aura of majesty, incontestable sovereignty, supple, spell-binding dignity, an almost indolent agility, and awe-inspiring gallantry … that are second to none. Spending most of its day in quiet repast, a typical adult male is largely only roused from its graceful repose by two situations requiring immediate attention – hunger and/or danger, the latter of which may be directed at it, the pride it protects, or both.
When Lions Rise ……
Rising to begin their majestic saunter is a subtle yet simultaneous warning to enemies, prey, and lurking predators to respectfully and surreptitiously buzz off their terrain. The mere act of rising, even if only by a slight lift of a head or flick of a tail is an unequivocal message to friend and foe alike …
When Lions Roar ……
Arousal of any kind which escalates to a magnificent roar is a clear signal that something catastrophic is about to occur. Wise adversaries immediately take to their heels with all the energy & speed they can muster …
When Lions Rage …..
A rise and a roar that advance to rage are lethal. The latter’s resulting attack portends the sure end of its object. The situation becomes a ticking time bomb; a predetermined script merely unfolding in real-time to the point of completion – where predator finds itself sudden prey, foe becomes feast-worthy forage, and the hunter becomes the harried and harassed hunted.
When Lions Run ……
When saunter breaks into a full-fledged sprint, the end has come. The unfortunate target has not only been reduced to a historical figure while breathing its last, its decimated remains are sure to be obliterated in a few quick bites – either by the ravaging lion king, or by hovering scavengers (if the lion had been roused by danger, it was likely not hungry to begin with, and would exhibit a disinterested disdain toward the forage proffered).
Lions of the tribe of Judah are roused, rise, roar, rage and run with great intensity and ferocity, devouring their enemies, pursuing God’s passions, and protecting His Kingdom principles and purposes. Like Goliath in the hands of the earth realm lion slayer-cum-king David, the objects of such unrelenting pursuits unquestionably result in outcomes of the irrecoverable kind.
When lions arise ………… WORLD, WATCH OUT!!
Dedicated with great honor to all the fallen heroes of the United States and all the other nations of the earth – your sacrifice and service are not in vain – and to every rising lion after the order of The Lion of the Tribe of Judah … “Is there not a cause?” … So … “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all!” (1 Samuel 17:29; 30:8)
For Your Heroic & Listening Pleasure
Yeshua Hamashiach (Nathaniel Bassey)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=fSDos_rHD8M&feature=share
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=DiA54Lh7jyw&feature=share
Lion (Brandon Lake/Chris Brown/Elevation Worship)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=2go_dOJVwc4&feature=share
Lion of Judah (Joe Mettle/Nathaniel Bassey)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=0U2bF7N2o1g&feature=share
Lion of Judah (Phil Thompson)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=bc10xIgENAs&feature=share
Champion (Dante Bowe/Bethel Music)