The Lion Who Lets You Nap in His Lap

Jesus could flip tables with fire in His eyes—and still invite weary people to come and curl up in His presence.

One moment, He’s shutting down the religious elite with surgical precision. The next? He’s holding kids on His lap and healing people who’d been excluded their whole lives. He was fierce with systems but gentle with seekers. Bold with the proud, but balm to the broken.

That’s the tension we need to remember about Jesus: a Jesus strong enough to carry what we can’t—and safe enough to finally put it down.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Yes, He’ll call you out. Yes, He’ll flip the tables you’ve been hiding behind. But it’s never to harm you—it’s to free you. He’s not trying to catch you in the act. He’s trying to catch you when you fall.

And here’s the best part: when you bring Him your exhaustion, your failed performative religion, your tangled theology, and your too-many-tabs-open brain, He doesn’t hand you a checklist.

He hands you rest.

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…”
— Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

That’s what sets Jesus apart. He doesn’t just preach peace—He is peace. You don’t have to hustle for His approval or audition for His affection. You just have to come.

So take a deep breath. Drop the script. Let Him love the unfiltered you. Let the Lion of Judah be your sanctuary, too. Take heart: The same Jesus who stood firm in the temple is still the One who says, “You look tired. Come here to rest.”

Real Talk Reflection

Are there parts of your faith walk that feel more like performance than presence?
Where are you still trying to hustle for God's love, instead of collapsing into His rest?

Short Prayer

Jesus, You are the Lion who roars at injustice and the shelter where I can finally exhale. I’m tired of trying to prove I’m enough. Help me stop the spiritual striving and let You carry what I was never meant to hold. Flip the tables in my heart that keep me from peace, and let me rest—safe, seen, and wildly loved by You. In Your name, I pray.

We hope this Plan encouraged you. This plan is from the book "Sassy Jesus" by Heather Hair. Discover more about the Jesus with grit and grace. Heather's ministry resources are found here at this link.