Niki Anderson ~ Author & Speaker

March went out like a lion and April came in—with the rabbits!

I know. That’s not the traditional rendering of the seasonal phrase to describe the weather—blustery or balmy—at the beginning and end of March. But in the city of Spokane, the month of March went out, indeed, like a lion, and April arrived with bunny rabbits, both here and in stores across the nation.

I’m always disappointed when merchants introduce Easter with bunnies but few lambs. Several years ago I hunted near and far from department stores to discount marts for the fitting symbol of Easter—a wee stuffed lamb for my granddaughter’s Easter basket. At last, I found a plush lamb that pleasingly, and instantly, became Zoe’s love sake.

The truly authentic representatives of Easter include lambs and lions. Jesus is described as both. He earned the title, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” for as the Messiah he is the most glorious descendant from Israel’s tribe of Judah.

He is also the lamb. John the Baptist alluded to the lambs that Israelites sacrificed to atone for their sin when he described Jesus as “the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.”

Easter calls to memory Christ’s death as the lamb slain on a Roman cross. As our substitute, he spared all humankind the penalty of wrongdoing and rose from the grave in lion-like victory.  

Just because it’s April, don’t be fooled into overlooking the Lamb of God while selecting toy rabbits and coloring boiled eggs. Give your kisses to the kids, grandkids, and the bunny rabbits; they’re irresistibly wonderful. But friends, as you recall the resurrection, focus your affection on Christ, the sacrificial Lamb.

As for the bunnies? Admire them in the wild or in their hutches. But why not choose a lamb or a lion for the Easter basket this year? More importantly, let’s make Jesus our love sake. He gave his all that we might be forgiven. I invite you to worship him this Easter Sunday and every day of your life. He’s a Lamb for all seasons.

Niki

New additions to my April website: www.nikianderson.net

• Big cats in the Bible (lions, leopards, etc.)   On the 3-minute commentary page

   

• The 10 most cat-friendly cities in America just announced 'About Cats' page

   

• Enter the contest to win my book, Inspur-r-rational Stories for Cat Lovers  Suggest a caption for Myles, my red tabby cat, pictured in my arms on the Home Page. What is Myles thinking Send your entry to niki@nikianderson.com