Traits of Leaders Found in Jesus Christ

Recently, I’ve been studying one of Christ’s prominent titles, Lion and Lamb. It’s interesting to think about what a lion represents as well as a lamb. Further, the characteristics of a lion and lamb can be found in Christ’s actions and personality in scripture as well as within the personalities of believers who follow Christ. They are also important characteristics in relation to leaders.

God’s word discusses believers by saying that we are being transformed or changed into the image of Christ. This means that we will mirror him in various ways as we grow into maturity in Christ and surrender to him.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Jesus as the Lion and the Lamb

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.” – Revelations 5:5

Jesus is shown as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in the above scripture. Further, it is said that because he has triumphed, he has the authority to open the seven seals. A lion represents authority. They are territorial and mark their rite to the space they hold authority over in the wild.

Similarly, Jesus possesses the authority to open the seals because of his enduring to the point of triumph. Likewise, we as believers, triumph through Jesus Christ, who has overcome the world. Therefore, we overcome when we look to him in surrender. Also, we should mirror authority within our lives. Authority is a form of confidence that allows us to do what needs to be done. Something vital to leaders.

Those who operate in their authority understand who made them, how they’ve been made, and who they are submitted to. Being submitted to the Lord gives us authority.

Authority: If you have the authority to do something, you have the right or power to do it. For example, parents give the babysitter authority to put the children to bed at 7 p.m. (Vocabulary.com.)

Lions Represent Boldness

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. – Proverbs 28:1

We stand our ground as godly followers of Christ. We do not run away from things that are hard. Instead, we face them head-on. This is a characteristic of leadership. Often, the leaders are the first to get hit or to foresee danger. Leaders have a responsibility to protect those that have been entrusted to them.

This characteristic of boldness is often modeled in scripture through the stories of the good shepherd, another title of Christ. The good shepherd cares for the sheep. He doesn’t run away and abandon the sheep. Instead, he stands his ground like a lion knowing he has been equipped with the authority to protect the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. – John 10:11-12

Men are naturally called to leadership as they are the head of the home in marriage. However, they must grow in maturity to become a leader like Christ. Women of wisdom co-lead in boldness like Queen Esther. She was willing to lay down her life for the people she led as queen. She led them into a consecration to seek the Lord for deliverance saying if she perishes, she perishes.

Likewise, King David was willing to lay down his life for his sheep killing a lion and a bear. This takes us to our next characteristic of the Lion and the Lamb.

Leaders realize, it takes boldness to become a Lamb in Laying Down One’s Life for the Sheep

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. – John 10:14-15

Jesus is mentioned in scripture so many times as the lamb of God. He was called the Passover lamb and the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. This was acted out by God with boldness and love. We all know the scripture: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that we would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16.)

We are the sheep. Our good shepherd, Jesus, became our lamb—our sacrifice. Our sins are covered because of him.

Likewise, as believers who are growing in maturity in Christ, we will often be required to take some hits. We’ll be required to take some losses to cover others. This looks like humility. It looks like not appearing to always have it together. Sometimes, it will look like not responding when others seek to discount our words or creditability.

This was a hard lesson for me to learn because I care about others. I’d sometimes respond thinking others wanted clarity from me. However, responding to detractors can unnecessarily drain the mature person.

Often, it’s better to pray for the person allowing the Holy Spirit to change their heart over time. Unless the Holy-Spirit specifically requires you to share something additional. This knowledge especially comes in handy on social media.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. – Isaiah 53:7

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ, our Passover is sacrificed for us. – 1 Corinthians 5:7

It also takes boldness to set boundaries with others

Lion prides have specific territories that they cover. These territories are strictly defended from predators or intruders. The Lion may use its roar, strength, speed, or mane to intimidate others in defending it’s territory. This is how the lion was built by God to maintain its status in the wildlife ecosystem as King of the Beasts. Similarly, believers must know who they are. We have to have some understanding of how we’re built and God’s purpose for us. So, we can, like the lion, guard against those who would intrude upon our purpose and personal peace in life.

In a sense, we appear like easy targets because of our willingness to let things go and lay down our lives in serving others. That is not to be confused with us being set aside for abuse. Sometimes, we need to exercise our lion-like personality and set some clearly defined boundaries.

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. – Matthew 10:16

Allow God to give you peace through practicing the wisdom of setting appropriate boundaries. If you aren’t sure when to set boundaries, pray and ask God for help. Also, be self-aware about the circumstances that disturb your peace.

The Road to Leadership

It is very uncomfortable learning to exercise our lion and lamb side to our personalities as our chief, Jesus Christ. There are some things we have to go through. Hence, the need to triumph. Lions reside in the wild in what is called prides. These are groups of mainly one male lion, a few girl lions, called lionesses, and cubs. The baby lions are cubs.

At about 3 years of age, male lion cubs are kicked out of the pride to learn to grow on their own and create their own prides. This is a process of maturity that we are allowed to witness from nature. God often uses nature to communicate lessons to us. This lesson displays not harshness from the pride leaders but love and care to allow their cubs to develop into what is necessary for them to survive the wild.

God sends us out as believers into this world. In some ways, we are vulnerable. Yet, we are to be bold. Why? Because our leader, the Lord is causing us to mature into his image. In our maturity, we learn when to lean into the boldness of the lion within our personality or the boldness of the lamb.

Lastly, the Lamb depends on its Good Shepherd for Survival

We learn to depend on Christ as believers. He is our good shepherd. Through the hardness of learning to grow in Christ—we remain content. We are content because we have what we need. We lack nothing. Even when it seems we lack—we do not. Because our good shepherd is making sure that we have all we need.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:11-13