One of the most iconic images ever created is the MGM lion. Gracing the opening credits of MGM movies since 1928, the lion’s roar immediately tells an audience a movie is about to begin. The first lion appeared in 1916, but didn’t roar because the movies had no sound. The studio continued to replace each lion as necessary, with the current and fifth lion, Leo, beginning work in 1957.
Leo’s career is much different than his predecessors in two respects. First of all, his roar is the fullest of all the lions. Next is the astonishing length of his career, now stretching into its 54th year. However, there are reasons for Leo’s uniqueness. Leo’s voice is the combination of several roars, remixed over the years to give him a bigger sound than he ever had. His longevity, is simply a choice to the not replace him after his death. Shhhhh….he’s buried in New Jersey.
Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Yet don’t mistake him for Leo the lion. Some make Jesus an iconic image, inhabiting manger scenes, symbolically represented through crosses around the necks of many people, and thanked in the liner notes of music albums which contain messages which are often unChrist-like. People using Him to give validity to their own agendas remix His roar. For others, His career is seen as a rehash of film footage from years ago with no real-life successor occupying His space.
The real Lion is alive, He roars to get the world’s attention. His grave is empty and His visage has never been captured in an icon. His voice calls you to a kingdom greater than the world.
As the New Year comes, may you hear His roar and bow in obedience.
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